I’ve said it elsewhere, and now I proclaim it to the world: My motto for 2009 is Own It!
It’s such a great, all-encompassing philosophy. Not only does it require you to grow up and accept/deal with stuff you don’t like, but it gives you permission — nay, it commands you to claim, use, and work the stuff you do. I think yearly resolutions tend to focus too much on the former and not enough on the latter. There comes a time in life when you pull on your big girl panties, set your sights on what you want, and get out of your own damn way.
Of course, first you have to actually know what you want. Seems simple, but it’s easy to lose sight of, especially as life warps and changes around you… one’s wishes can mutate too, and it’s important to recognize it when that happens. I think it would behoove us all to re-assess our desires every so often, and New Year’s seems a good time to take stock. Note I didn’t say goals, I said desires. With goals, it’s too easy to fall into, “oh, I should do this, or I should be that, or I should work harder on thus-and-such.”
No. Fuck that. Done with it.
What do you really, from the loftiest and most idealized eschelon of your best nature, to the deepest and most voracious taproot of your id, truly want? Think about it. Write it down — you don’t have to plan to pursue it, but acknowledge it.
Now, among those desires, are there any that would be dishonorable to pursue? Not just outside your comfort zone, in an “oh, that’s not me, I’m just not that kind of person” way, but truly something that would infringe upon another person’s rights and liberties? If so, own the fact that you want it, own the fact that you’re too good to pursue it, and move on.
I bet the list is still pretty juicy. Start planning. Some things will be out of your control, but get buckwild creative on anything you can influence. Ignore the fact that some of these desires just don’t fit your mental image of yourself. Shake things up and Own It!
I’ve spent chunks of my life waiting for people to tell me I’m awesome, ask me what I want, and encourage me to pursue it. Why did it never before now occur to me that I am, by default, the best authority on these matters?
Own It.
Here are my Desires for 2009. Some of them are significant, some are trivial, but all will make me a more vibrant and interesting person, if only to myself. And since I’m the one that’s gotta live with me 24/7, that’s not so trivial in the long run.
- A house with adequate storage space on 5 acres of land.
- Physical strength, endurance, and overall ease of movement.
- Luscious long hair (that may not be fulfilled until 2019, but that’s okay).
- Frequent musical practice with an astonishing increase in skill — and someone to jam with.
- A completed work of fiction, lavishly praised by devoted readers.
- Greater organization skills.
- Lots more energy. LOTS.
- More sex. Yeah, I said it right out loud.
- To harvest something I plant. Anything.
- Frequent fun outings with the kids.
- Self-respect through accomplishment (this covers a lot).
I think that’s plenty to work with for one year. There are other things I want, but they don’t pass the Honor Test, so I’ve put them to rest. I’ll blog in more detail about some of these listed desires in later posts. Tonight, it’s enough to get them down.
A Joyful, Abundant New Year to All! 2009 will rock hard-core. I survived 2008 — I am awesome! And so are you.
Own It!
