It’s the first day of 2009, and I feel a little sappy about it. I’ve always been a bit resolution-y, as I suppose all avid list-makers are, but this year I’ve taken a lot of time determining my goals for 2009. Amidst all the soul searching (that, don’t worry, I won’t bore you with here), there was one exercise I did that I highly recommend. I wrote my personal commandments.
I got the idea from Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project Blog. Different from goals or resolutions, personal commandments are like a blue print – how you want to live your life while you’re working toward your goals. I think of it as a way of keeping track of myself in the midst of a year that I hope is full of change and the best kind of upheaval. Okay, so here are mine:
- Be J.
- Live in the present tense; that’s all there is.
- Act the way I want to feel. (I stole this from Gretchen, who stole it from William James.)
- Trust the process.
- Attempt understanding (and failing that, tolerance).
- Dare to be wrong. (I stole this one too, from a professor in college. She was a tiny, daring, indomitable force.)
Writing these was a bit of a challenge, but worth it. And fun. You should try it. And if you do, I’d love to hear what you come up with.
Happy first day of 2009!
Wild
Number 2. I think all of my problems would be solved if I just could master Number 2. Wait – that sounds like I am struggling with toilet training. But seriously, folks. This is the secret of life, I really believe, and to live in this philosophy is a constant struggle, but one worthy of our struggle, nonetheless. Bravo to your list. Writing it down is half the battle. I wish you success.
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog. Words like yours mean the world to me.
Okay, J
You’ve done it…I have been trying to sit down and work through my personal commandments every since I read you post. I think this may be more a list of actions and reactions based on the past year and my goals for 2009…but for now, it is what I need.
1. Follow my passion and use it as a guide for making decisions and setting priorities.
2. Be open to new opportunities, but keep my eye on the prize.
3. Make a list and schedule, keep referring/prioritizing/updating it…every morning.
4. Assess the risk, what’s to be gained and what is the worst case scenario.
5. Remember the first loss is the least loss.
6. Enjoy life and those you meet along the way.
Bryan,
Thanks for stopping by. Your words inevitably have profound meaning for me too. I think about them long after I’ve left your site. Keep writing!
CMW,
Yay you!!! Don’t you feel better?
cool site J! Regards, Darren King (found your site from Poetic Grin’s…)
Pingback: Aging, and other daring feats « Zebra Sounds
Pingback: 10 Things You Might Not Know, part 10 « Zebra Sounds
Pingback: What I Learned Playing Hooky « Zebra Sounds
Pingback: Sorry about the dead dog… « Zebra Sounds
Pingback: Faking It « Zebra Sounds
How did I miss this one?
Love your list j –
I’m working on mine, I’ll share — I promise!