The Set-up

Edward Lindaman says one of life’s most fulfilling moments occurs in the split-second when the familiar is suddenly transformed into the dazzling aura of the profoundly new.

This is my objective, making the familiar new, Edward’s a little more flowery. Whatever.

I’m not big on resolutions, I make them, but they fizzle as if last night’s Champagne.

All you can do is wash that shit down the drain and move on to a bold red.

And honestly what’s the upside for getting your knickers in a twist over a bunch of self-imposed standards potent enough to give one hives?

I’m so glad you asked, because as you know I write to figure things out, and remind myself of that which is hard earned, but easily forgotten, known in Greek philosophy, Gnostic, and Christian traditions as Sophia or wisdom.

Here goes…

The System

I’m suggesting we mark the passage of not only a new year, but a new decade no less, without resolutions or a crafty vision board. Shocking I know but there is a means to my madness.

If you are unwaveringly determined to (fill in the NY’s resolution) will you miraculously…

• Stop wrinkling?
• Increase in value?
• Find fame and fortune?
• Have impeccable social skills?
• Become fluent in Spanish, Italian, Pig Latin?
• Wake up rested and thinner?
• Have soaring investments?
• Skyrocketing stats?
• Procure minimal body fat?
• “Kondo” the entire house?
• Never catch a cold?
• Christmas will put itself away?

Nary a one will be affected by flossing daily or eating more vegetables.

I want to be totally transparent here, just because bacon has recently been deemed an essential food group, and Jesus had a thing for wine doesn’t mean I’m morally superior because I choose to partake.

Jesus even said, “Are you still so dull?” He asked, “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, for out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person.” Matthew 15

It’s a choice not a resolution.

How can it possibly be day one of 2020? Was it an entire year ago when I fell asleep before midnight, came in last during a riveting game of Mexican Train, and broke my foot?

Was it only a hundred years ago when women were permitted to vote, fifty years ago when we landed the moon, and only 20 years ago when we thought it all was going to end. Y2K much?

If you survived 2019 believe me when I say there is nothing you can resolve to accomplish that will have any affect on your value in 2020! You rock with or without those ten thousand steps, intermittent fasting, and sixty-four ounces of water daily.

You are just as valuable with supplementary pounds, jiggly thighs, and multiple chins because weight is relative, misemployed, and highly duplicitous. Forget about it.

My self worth is not tied to my relationship status, my bank account, or the number of followers I have amassed on Instagram (well maybe that).

As a middle-aged (okay, pre-elderly) woman my body is undergoing a mutiny, I mean seriously I know how Captain Ahab must have felt, and then Moby Dick wins? Who would write such a story? But I digress.

There is a lot of pressure in the New Year to make all sorts of crazy resolutions because we are bombarded with messages that without concealer, Spanx, and a Peloton in our living room we will not be accepted by polite society.

If you keep of tally every time you are attacked by one of these vicious enticements you’ll be shocked how many times a day you are reminded of your egregious defects.

The Solution

Let’s flip this scenario as if Chip and Joann, an unresolute makeover so to speak, and that would make this year move in ready! Bahaha…

This is the year of the metal rat according to Chinese horoscope and this is considered a year of new beginnings and colossal renewal (I added the colossal for dramatic effect).

You heard me right!

This year, 2020, let’s start sharing with one another marks of true value, things that promote human flourishing, things that don’t defile.

Right now, get on your phone, start texting one another (BTW I’ll be miffed if I don’t receive any texts).

• You are beloved.
• I’m your biggest fan even when you lose!
• You got this!
• Thanks for letting me lean on you all weekend and part of Monday.
• Please forgive me for I know not what the hell I’m doing.
• You are my safe place with or without the safety pin.
• Your kindness, humility, and humor is greatly appreciated especially when it comes to my spelling, cooking, attention span.
• I’m right here, order pizza, I’m not planning on leaving any time soon.
• Thanks for standing with me even when I was in the wrong place.
• Your ideas are crazy but highly valued.
• You are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God with a sense of humor.
• You inspire me to be a better person at least once a week.
• I can be at your front door with a bottle of chilled wine, sushi, and chocolate in five minutes.
• Love the twinkle in your eye.

The Salute

I’m enamored with this upside down, unpredictable, immeasurably beautiful life because wrinkles are as if rings on a tree, each year etched in my core, adding to my unique beauty. Let’s not over analyze the word “unique.”

You are valuable just as you are and if you haven’t heard this in a while, “I love you.”

I’m inspired to share these words by the Dalai Lama, “time’s always moving on. Nothing can stop it. The question is whether we use our time well or not. We can’t do anything about the past, but what happens in the future depends on what we do now. We can create a happier future by remembering that in being human we are all the same.”

We all want acceptance and love. Booyah!

Let us pause as we enter the portal of 2020, consider all those adorable things that enrich, enhance, and elevate our lives! Trust our inner wisdom, intuition, or spidey sense, it doesn’t matter what you call it, just pause long enough to hear your own thoughts. And while we’re being unresolute and all, why don’t we let go of that which is not meant for you, including unsolicited opinions, judgements, and the general misgivings of others because those are the things that desecrate the heart. We don’t have time for that because we’re busy transforming the familiar into the dazzling aura of the profoundly new.

 

Biblical Resolutions (just for fun):

• Adam, “I’m cutting back on fruit this year!”
• Eve, “My iPhone is eligible for an upgrade, very tempting.”
• Mrs. Lot, “Don’t look back.”
• Noah, “Climate change is a real thing.”
• Moses, “I’m avoiding California for obvious reasons.”