Resolute

res-o-lute [rez-uh-loot]
–adjective
1. firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion.
2. characterized by firmness and determination, as the temper, spirit, actions, etc.

I’m not going to list “resolutions” this year. Mostly because to me, that word means “something you start in January and then ignore completely a week or two later.” So, instead, I'm going to list things that I am resolutely committed to doing.

I heard somewhere recently (sacrament meeting, last Sunday) that if you write down a goal, you are THREE times more likely to accomplish it. And I heard somewhere not so recently that if you share your goals with others you are more likely to accomplish it. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and post my resolutions so that I can multiply my chances of accomplishing them!

Because I am RESOLUTE!
Feel free to check up on me as time goes on. :-)
Here goes:

1. I’m going to use a kind, loving voice with my kids and try very hard to banish my ornery and / or annoyed voices.
2. I am going to write a fantasy novel for middle grades that will hopefully be interesting to people outside of my three kids. (Although, if they are the only ones who love it, that’s okay, too.) Oh, and I’m going to do it while I’m learning from a master writer who I secretly hero-worship a little. I’m a bit excited. Okay, who am I kidding? I’m a LOT excited!
3. I’m going to go through my house and add tons and tons to my yard sale stash. Then in the spring, I’m going to have the mother of all yard sales! Or maybe just the puny little brother of all yard sales. Either way: junk out of my house = me happy.
4. I’m going to repaint Kyle’s room. When it’s done, it should feel like you are stepping into outer space when you walk through his doorway.
5. I’m going to plan a vacation (and then go, of course!) with my family that involves an airplane. We’ve had enough sky miles for about a year... but you see, I’ve only been on an airplane once in my life. I didn’t plan that trip, so the planning is more than a little overwhelming to me. This item on my list may just be the hardest for me to do!

And, did you know? “People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't explicitly make resolutions.” So, I’m 10 times more likely to attain my goals because I explicitly made them. Then, I’m 3 times more likely for writing them down. And X times more likely because I’m sharing them. The combo factors of posting resolutions on your blog makes it almost sound like a done deal! Hmmm.... Makes you want to make a list with some really BIG stuff on it, doesn't it?