You know you’re going to make them 😉 And, even worse, break them 🙂 But here is one that you could make and not break: seek out a little solitude.
Back in 1998, the late psychologist Ester Buchholz wrote in Psychology Today magazine, “Life’s creative solutions require alonetime. Solitude is required for the unconscious to process and unravel problems. Others inspire us, information feeds us, practice improves our performance, but we need quiet time to figure things out, to emerge with new discoveries, to unearth original answers. … The natural creativity in all of us — the sudden and slow insights, bursts and gentle bubbles of imagination — is found as a result of alonetime. Passion evolves in aloneness. Both creativity and curiosity are bred through contemplation.”
Sounds like a plan.
So what’s on your list?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian,
What a subject you bring up.
I am interested in exploring this subject (solitude) with anyone who has some expertise on the subject.
My expertise comes from personal experience. Long hours spent out on the road by myself.
You know, some have pointed out how people rescued (whether alone or in small groups) after spending long periods of time adrift are often what the majority would claim were mentally disturbed. Too much time alone leads to insanity.
However studies have also shown that the rat race is also prone to inducing mental illness. Put too many rats together into too closely confined spaces and they adapt alternative behaviors.
Personally, for inspiration, I look to my Rabbi Jesus. According to the bible, he spent 40 days and 40 nights alone and fasting. When he returned to society, he did not forget what he learned during all that time alone. What he learned lead him to the cross.
I just love Jesus. I wish that I could resolve to be more like Jesus. But the path Jesus blazed was so brilliant I am not sure my eyes can stand the light.
1. Speak Truth to Power
2. Be assured of myself, and as such, don’t back down on what’s right.
3. No more ‘settling’.
4. Go for the twofer and get Watkins Abbitt out of office.
5. Have a better garden.
6. Love more, laugh more.
No particular order.
I plan to quit smoking.
Oh wait. No, I plan to encourage you to quit smoking and offer any support I can render. 🙂
I’m in complete agreement re: the connection between creativity and solitude. When I chose to begin varnishing boats for a living, the unexpected gift which came with the decision was the combination of repetitive labor and absolute solitude which left my mind free to wander. In a very real sense, the docks are my equivalent of Virginia Woolfe’s “room of one’s own”, albeit a room without walls!
As for those resolutions? Easy. More structure, more discipline, and more effort, across the board. With only another 20 or 30 years left, every minute counts!
Go ahead and quit smoking, silence 🙂
Mark – if you have a better garden, then perhaps you’ll share 😉
Naw – I’m thinking less of those things, particularly in light of the solitude thing.
Anything for you, Vivian. 🙂
Will it be tomatoes, beans or potatoes? Maybe some corn?
Hope you are doing well…..
All of the above 😉
Ah, but when you live alone, write alone and work for hours every day out on the docks in absolute solitude, it can take some effort to keep focused and stay productive. The “fritter factor” can get pretty high when there’s no one around for days at a time!