I Resolve to Not Make Resolutions

I always find the New Year celebrations to be entertaining. It is one of the few times a year when people truly let it all out, so to speak. It is as if people feel that this is the "last time" they can have some real fun because come tomorrow, it is time to put those pesky resolutions to work.

Which is why I don't like to make resolutions.

I used to make New Year's resolutions every year. And I am proud to say that I have kept some of them up. But lately I just don't see the point in the whole practice. I find that New Year's resolutions make me feel trapped and hinder true growth. I am more of a "goal setter all year long" kind of girl - isn't that the only way to improve yourself? Continuously, not just once a year. So I have thrown the New Year's resolutions out the window and I encourage all of you to do the same.

Don't misunderstand me, though. I am not saying that setting goals is a bad thing. Just don't set them once a year because you feel that you have to. Set them whenever you please and actually try to reach them. That way those goals mean more and when you do reach them, you feel a true sense of accomplishment, not just a feeling of "Yeah, I kept my New Year's resolution."

2009 is going to be a good year - I can feel it. Happy New Year!

Relaxation

Although I enjoy the holidays, the older I get (which is not too old...yet) the more I find the holidays to be exhausting. There is the shopping, the cooking, the get togethers, the preparing for visits, the time management...I thought I was supposed to be on vacation.

Fortunately, the bulk of the all of the holiday hoopla is now over and I have finally found time to relax. One more week of vacation and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I am well supplied with books, movies, even my new Nintendo DS (which I absolutely love!). I may not see the light of day for a bit but I am not too concerned about such things. Relaxation is my main goal.

I hope the rest of you are enjoying your time off. My guess is that you were not as bogged down with holiday hoopla (that will come later, if you are lucky) so the enjoyment level is high, as it should be.

Remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do...

Happy Holidays!

As you all embark on your most needed holiday break, remember to treat this time as it is supposed to be treated - a time of togetherness, giving, and love. Enjoy your break, catch up on your rest, and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Now it is your turn...

During my last post I shared some poems that move me, now it is your turn to share a poem that you enjoy. Please post your choices, complete with explanations of why you enjoy the work as well as a link to the poem.

I am looking forward to reading some of your favorites!

Poetry

I often wish I had more time to study poetry in class. Poetry allows the brain and the heart to connect in a way that other literature does not always allow. Unfortunately, many students do not enjoy poetry because they find the art form to be difficult to understand and "useless" in their everyday lives.

In my attempt to promote appreciation for poetry I would love to share some of my favorite poems. Below is a list of the poems that I hold near and dear to my heart.

"The Stolen Child" by W.B. Yeats
"To Ireland in the Coming Times" by W.B. Yeats
"How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
"i carry your heart with me (i carry it in" by E.E. Cummings
"The Untold Want" by Walt Whitman
"Sick" by Shel Silverstein
"Forgetfulness" by Billy Collins
"Helen" by H.D.
"Greater Love" by Wilfred Owen
Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare