Eleven for '11

My resolutions, in no particular order:

1. Pay attention to what other people tell you about yourself. They are bound to be more truthful and accurate than the voices in your head.

2.  Corollary to the above: take care of yourself, physically and mentally, no matter how difficult or annoying it is.  If these people are telling the truth, then you deserve it, and they deserve to have you around for as long as possible.

3.  Stop fantasizing and start dreaming -- and work on making the dreams concrete.

4.  Forgive.  Forgive yourself and forgive others.  With one exception, there is no one who has hurt you so much that you cannot forgive them.  Apologize.  There are people out there whom you have hurt. Tell them how sorry you are.

5.  Let. Go. Of. Outcomes. 

6.  Every once in a while, take a walk on the wild side.  You're not dead yet.

7.  Always take the detour for the chinchilla races.

8.  Finish the damn book, already.  Even if it is never published, heck, even if it is never submitted for publication, it deserves it.  And while you're at it, make sure you write or blog every single freaking day.  Period.

9.  Spend time every day in gratitude for the blessings you have in your life, and the people who surround you.

10.  Speaking of those people, reach out and rebuild or strengthen the connections you have, especially with your friends.  It's a funny thing, the Internet, which actually allows people to keep in touch with each other.

11. Become more purposeful in how you live your life.  Become the mother / wife / friend / writer /  person who you are meant to be.

Notice that "Become more organized" is not on the list.  Even I know a lost cause when I see one.