x-posted on facebook
I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, because I think they're promises that are made to be broken, but I have taken some time to reflect on the way I live my life and the ways in which that living does not match up with my principles and beliefs. That said, I've come up with some solutions:
1. Start going to church again.
I like the Unitarian Universalist church on the North Side. I'm out of town a lot, but I'm going to make a effort to start attending regularly again. If anyone would like to join, give me a call Saturday nights to see if i'm going or not.
2. Be more conscientious of what I consume and how it doesn't line up with my conscience.
For me, this basically means that since I don't agree with the dairy or meat or egg industries I'm going to make an effort to stop supporting them. Will it really kill me to start drinking soy lattes and stop eating omelettes? But, that leads me to #3
3. Stop being so extremist.
I was having a conversation with someone a lot like myself about how often our perceptions of ourselves don't match up with reality (at all). I perceive myself as a fairly laid back person but i can see why other people would think I'm a militant bitch. It's easy for me to *say* something like "I'm going to be vegan", be extreme about it for about a week, give up and pretend it never happened. So, i'm going to make an effort to be conscientious, and also make an effort to not be a jerk.
4. Stop consuming drugs, tobacco and alcohol completely.
I consumed alcohol exactly four times in 2007, and not once since August. In 2008 I'd like for that number to be zero. I'll save a lot of money, a lot of heartache over stupid things said/done while drunk, and be a lot healthier. I see no point in ever doing recreational drugs or smoking, and i'm going to continue to not do those things.
5. Buy less things.
Since i'd say that 90% of the money I spend is on clothing of dubious origins (probably sweatshops, definitely not fair labor, etc) and by gosh i have *enough* clothes already, I'm going to make a conscious effort to stop buying them. I don't buy many "things" to begin with, but I think consumption almost always has room for improvement.
6. Use better household products.
We already use all recycled paper products and try to use natural cleaning supplies, but there is always room for improvement.
7. Take better care of my body.
Gym buddies? I like the gym in Bellefield hall, but i'm open to going wherever. Mornings would be best for me, but if you're honestly interested in gymming with me i'd be willing to negotiate. And beyond that, there are 100 little things I want to start doing, like not drinking diet soda and making sleep a priority.
8. Let things go.
Is it ever *really* worth the effort to be angry at anyone?
Annnd I think that's all. I hope that by posting this here you guys will hold me accountable to these things when you see an area I could be improving on.
1. Start going to church again.
I like the Unitarian Universalist church on the North Side. I'm out of town a lot, but I'm going to make a effort to start attending regularly again. If anyone would like to join, give me a call Saturday nights to see if i'm going or not.
2. Be more conscientious of what I consume and how it doesn't line up with my conscience.
For me, this basically means that since I don't agree with the dairy or meat or egg industries I'm going to make an effort to stop supporting them. Will it really kill me to start drinking soy lattes and stop eating omelettes? But, that leads me to #3
3. Stop being so extremist.
I was having a conversation with someone a lot like myself about how often our perceptions of ourselves don't match up with reality (at all). I perceive myself as a fairly laid back person but i can see why other people would think I'm a militant bitch. It's easy for me to *say* something like "I'm going to be vegan", be extreme about it for about a week, give up and pretend it never happened. So, i'm going to make an effort to be conscientious, and also make an effort to not be a jerk.
4. Stop consuming drugs, tobacco and alcohol completely.
I consumed alcohol exactly four times in 2007, and not once since August. In 2008 I'd like for that number to be zero. I'll save a lot of money, a lot of heartache over stupid things said/done while drunk, and be a lot healthier. I see no point in ever doing recreational drugs or smoking, and i'm going to continue to not do those things.
5. Buy less things.
Since i'd say that 90% of the money I spend is on clothing of dubious origins (probably sweatshops, definitely not fair labor, etc) and by gosh i have *enough* clothes already, I'm going to make a conscious effort to stop buying them. I don't buy many "things" to begin with, but I think consumption almost always has room for improvement.
6. Use better household products.
We already use all recycled paper products and try to use natural cleaning supplies, but there is always room for improvement.
7. Take better care of my body.
Gym buddies? I like the gym in Bellefield hall, but i'm open to going wherever. Mornings would be best for me, but if you're honestly interested in gymming with me i'd be willing to negotiate. And beyond that, there are 100 little things I want to start doing, like not drinking diet soda and making sleep a priority.
8. Let things go.
Is it ever *really* worth the effort to be angry at anyone?
Annnd I think that's all. I hope that by posting this here you guys will hold me accountable to these things when you see an area I could be improving on.