Resolutions for 2011:

Looking back on last year’s resolutions, I think I did pretty well, but the interesting thing is that I don’t feel like my resolutions have changed much, if at all. I might have a few more specifics around writing projects, for example, but the things I said I wanted from 2010 are the same ones I want to dedicate myself to in 2011. So let me review them again here, with commentary and some slight modifications:

-First and foremost, I resolve to practice radical self-love in 2010. Not just your ordinary, garden-variety getting enough sleep and eating less crap, I’m talking about transformational, dynamic-changing self-love. I will prioritize my own self’s needs and desires at least as often as I prioritize others’. (Wow, this was a hard one. I think I did better at this during 2010, but it still is important for 2011. So I’ll keep this top of the list and resolve to keep practicing radical self-love in 2011.)

-I will make space for writing, reading, art and long walks. These are not luxuries to be fit in amongst the cracks of “real” life. These *are* real life. (This is still true. I did practice this, and I can and will still practice it more. Especially the long walks part.)

-I will finish revising my novel. I will send it out to agents and publishers. I will start the next novel. (I did finish the revisions and start the next novel. I sent it out to one publisher, but I need to create query letters and send it out to agents and publishers. I am also going to try to stick with a regular writing practice so that the next novel will happen faster and more easily than the last.)

-I will listen to more music, more often. Recorded and live. (This I did, and want to continue into 2011.)

-I will take more pictures and share them. Albums maybe even. (I took lots and lots of pictures, but have not been so good with the sharing and album making. I definitely want to make the organizing and sharing of pictures a priority in 2011.)

-I will nurture my connections with my writerly tribe. I will go to cons, keep up friendships, read LJ, comment on posts, and be a better participant in my critique group. (I have had mixed results on this resolution. I have continued my connection with my closest circle of writer buddies, and I did go to one con, but I have not participated much in my writer tribe social network. I still want to. I will be going to three cons this year, hopefully, and I will also try to be better about at least connecting on social media.)

-I will nurture my connections with my true friends and those people in my life who are precious to me. I will pick up the phone more often and just call people. (I’ve done some of this, but I can always do more. This goes on the list for practicing further in 2011.)

-I will spend special time with each member of my family, and with my family all together. (I’ve done this, but I can always do more. This goes on the list for practicing further in 2011 too. I think it’s a perpetual one.)

-I will be mindful and present while I am with my children. I will appreciate them for who they are and where they’re at, and continue to tell them how much I love them as often as possible. (I’ve done this, but I can always do more. This goes on the list for practicing further in 2011 too. I think it’s a perpetual one.)

-I will collaborate with my true companion to make our marriage strong, healthy and joyful. (I’ve done this, but I can always do more. This goes on the list for practicing further in 2011 too. I think it’s a perpetual one.)

-I will continue to ask myself the hard questions about purpose and priorities and continue to take the answers as they come without judgment or fear. (This too is something that is ongoing. I think it always will be part of my practice, but hopefully some clarification and answers will begin to show up in 2011.)

I don’t think I really have any new resolutions to add to this list, other than what I’ve already said. It looks like mainly I will be continuing to refine my life practice, along with a healthy helping of self-discovery. And I’ll try to put at least some of it down in writing, in some form, for posterity. Here’s hoping for a relatively smooth--while no doubt always interesting--ride!