Doing it better in 2012

I was thinking about my year and realized there were quite a few times that I chose to sit on the sideline and phone it in.  Meaning, instead of getting involved and participating, I watch others have fun or do things.  Or if I did participate, I did the absolute minimum.

For 2012, my resolution is to be an active participant in my life.  Stop taking short cuts.  Really get involved in the world around me.  It’s almost like I have been in a cocoon for most of 2011.  I think the most alive I was this past year was our vacation to Disney, the wedding and the honeymoon.  For the rest of it I have pretty much coasted.

What brings about this change is my daughter asking me fifty times if she could do this, that and the other and all I kept saying was no.  I wanted to sit on my butt and do nothing.  Then I realized, she will only be little for so long.  Soon she won’t even want to do anything with me because I will no longer be cool – in her eyes anyways.  I have to get off my duff and start living again.

I thought more about this and realize there are many areas of my life where I have phoned it in this year.  Between work, family and life I have allowed myself to think I have too much going on when in reality I am sitting back and watching it go by.  Maybe that’s why I feel so tired all of the time?  Have you ever noticed how much more energy you have when you are out doing things than if you are sitting on the couch watching the TV?

I will admit that an entire summer of over 100 degree days without much of a break is enough to make anyone want to stay indoors, but that also meant that we didn’t get outside and ride bikes, blow bubbles or play hopscotch.  We did go to the pool pretty regularly, but even that was done in short spurts and anything over an hour meant you were baked, boiled or steamed.  The water was like stepping into the bath tub so even that wasn’t much of a relief.

So, my first step in the right direction is turning off the TV, getting the bikes dusted off and the tires aired up and hitting the pavement.  It is going to be in the 60’s almost every day this week and we need to be outdoors as much as possible! 

My second step is to do it better and do it right.  If I am going to participate in something, participate all of the way and not just do enough to get by.  I know that is vague, but it means so many things to me.