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Of Cod Liver Oil and Raspberries: Another Take on New Year's Resolutions

Hi. I'm Kristi, and I'm a perfectionist. 

I think my sister is, too, because as I read her blog post about New Year's resolutions, I felt a kinship with her that went beyond the literal.  I could relate to the excitement in childhood of making resolutions--goals which if met, would transform me into the person I knew I could be.  Many years have passed since childhood, and while I still enjoy the optimism of new beginnings, the excitement isn't as keen today as it once was. 

Perhaps I've just mellowed with age.  Perhaps I'm becoming more comfortable in my (imperfect) skin. Honestly, I think that this year my motivation waned as my head cold advanced.  Whatever the reasons, however, I think that it is actually healthy to look at just how the me of the present is going to become the me of the future.  Because while I am pretty accepting of who I am today, I fully anticipate that I will improve through time. 

My sister's post helped me realize something:  resolutions don't all have to taste like cod liver oil.  Of course, not all goals fall into the "fun!" category, but a lot of good qualities can be developed through enjoyable pursuits.  As I write resolutions this year, I want to remember to include fun goals.  Some resolutions are more like raspberries--they are good for you, and they taste great!

As for the not-so-fun resolutions (weight loss, anyone?), I need to think about my sister's childhood example of brushing her teeth twice a day.  Our parents did not yell, plead, or berate us, and yet somehow we both established a brushing habit (well before we became adults, I might add!).  The more matter-of-fact I can be with those kind of resolutions, the better.  No inward power struggles nor destructive self-talk. 

This year, I will have plenty of raspberry resolutions to accompany a small dose of cod liver oil resolutions.  I will quickly swallow the latter and savor the former.  Who knows?  Cod liver oil resolutions might become as easy as brushing my teeth!

But maybe that's the perfectionist talking.

Thankful thought:  Thanks for my little sister, who has both youth and wisdom!

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