Resolutions For The New Year

2008 was a great year and the way it's shaping up, 2009 will be even better. So I will try my best to live by the resolutions I am about to list. I have had all year to think about these resolutions and this is what I have come up with so far.

1. Be More Outspoken. I haven't been very good at standing up for myself. I'm more likely to dodge conflict than to confront it head on. I believe that if I'm going to be successful in my life I have to be able to stand up for myself and for what I believe and not be afraid to say what's on my mind. I won't be rude or anything so don't fret, just more firm. I also need to learn to express myself better. I've never been the overly emotional type, but I could be clearer in explaining how I feel and when I feel a certain way so that the emotions don't overpower me.

2. Go To Church More. I haven't done so lately, I've been working and going to school, but I really feel the need to go to church and get the Word.

3. Start Dating. I didn't go on many dates in 2008 because I was trying to repair problems I had from previous relationships. Now that I feel enough time has gone by, I feel that it's time for me to get back out there and see what the world has to offer.

4. Culture Myself. I've been attempting to teach myself how to play the piano, cooking, and learning to give therapeutic massages. In 2009 I plan to learn more skills and to read more. I want to try new foods, eat at exotic restaurants, and experience different cultures.

5. Take More Risks. This kind of ties into numbers 1 and 3 as being more outspoken and dating both involve taking risks. I can't always take the safe route. Time for me to experience new things.

6. Travel. For those of you who don't know, I haven't been out of VA much. I'm anxious to travel and see different places and have experiences I never could have in VA.

7. Thinking Positive. I know this has probably gotten me in trouble in the past because I thought TOO positively like I was the best thing since sliced bread and I was knocked back to Earth when i found out I wasn't. Nevertheless, thinking positive did me some good, especially in helping my anxiety and worrying, so I will continue to think positive.

8. Be More Involved. In all aspects of my life and all aspects that affect my life. I mean be more involved with my family, friends, work, school, politics, etc

9. Continue trying to "A" man and not "The" man. I know it sounds like some cheesy line out of a movie, this is just my fancy way of saying that I want to be a better person inside and out. That means always keeping myself groomed and nicely dressed and always keeping an open mind and a warm heart.

We'll revisit these halfway through the year to see how many resolutions I've made and how many I will try to make throughou the rest of the year.

2009 here I come!

Roderic