Of New Years, Resolutions, and To-Don’t Lists

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot

My new year always starts in December. I try my best during this month not to take on any new projects or commitments. I’ve just spent the previous 11 months taking on far more than I should (it’s a weakness. Everything looks shiny!)  Now it’s time to clear the decks so that once again I can give in to the tempting projects that 2013 will dangle in front of my nose. There’s no use in resolving not to take on new things. I know myself too well. Besides, I enjoy them!

And so I shall continue to knock longstanding projects off my to-do list, and revel in seeing it shrink. December-me finds doing that addictive and exhilarating.

The second phase of my New Year tradition is to take a vacation the first week of the new year.  It’s not for traveling – it’s for me sliding into the new year on my own terms, ignoring the clock, not feeling rushed, letting my mind settle, and just enjoying a week of being free of that dratted to-do list.  I shall live by the rules of the magical to-don’t list.

But you just know that somewhere in the second week of 2013, sometime REALLY shiny is going to reflect it’s light right into my eyes. And off we go again.

 (Click the cartoon to embiggen and enjoy)