Resolution: Evolution
The New Year is upon us and that means so, too, is the spate of posts about resolutions. How to make them, why you should make them (or not), and how to stick to the ones you make. For the more linear thinkers, the ubiquitous Excel spreadsheet planners are offered by generous souls all over the web. For creative types, planners exist for you (me), too. Many resources are free. Check out the ones offered by Charlie Gilkey or Susannah Conway as examples. Maybe one of these planners will work for you.
Sit down within the space of a few quiet moments or hours; think about what you want your life to look like in February and May and November. Jot it all down in ink to make it stick. Approach 2012 the same way you would any list. Decide what you want to accomplish, write it down, and make it so.
But, wait! Screech! Reverse!
Your life is not a friggin’ to-do list of tasks and goals. Your life at its most rich and rewarding is an organic journey, an opportunity to nurture your whims, a path without a destination to travel. In fact, life lived as it unfolds–without so damn much exertion–is a life to consider, and one that I suggest you try. Instead of striving for resolution, I propose evolution. Resolve to evolve. Be, rather than do.
Instead of front-loading a bunch of crap onto your days, as if you are a walking carbon checklist, perhaps you might try building in some room for rumination, some time for tinkering, and some space for spacing out. Yes, I am suggesting that you spend at least some of your days in 2012 without a plan! Crazy-talk to some of you, I know, but consider this your opportunity, a big shiny permission slip, to live without constraint—even if it’s just occasionally. Don’t worry, your list will still be there if you want it.
What, you wonder, would that look like? How would you spend your time? Maybe you aren’t even sure what you want to do with your life. No, not what you think you should want, but what you really want to do. I am not anti-goal-setting, I think goals, like anything, are best if approached without fanaticism. Feverish pursuit of the future blinds us to the gorgeous-sexy-goodness of the now.
And lest you think that I think you are independently wealthy and don’t need to work to pay the bills, I don’t. Most of us do need to work to sustain ourselves, and often there is little flexibility within our workday, especially when working for others. But the remaining hours of the day, at least eight of them, after you knock off the other eight with good quality sleep, can be yours. Yes, they can. You get to decide (unless you are a 6-year-old reading this, then I suggest you go outside and play, but ask your mother first) how to use them.
Consider: How much time do you squander away in front of the telly? Arguing? Gossiping? Shopping for crap you don’t need? Comparing yourself and your success (or lack thereof) to that of others? If you engage in even one of these activities throughout your week, you could free up at least a few hours (or more) if you just stop it. Now.
A new year gives us a point of reference for a new start. Each hour is a new hour. Each day is a chance to start fresh. How are you going to evolve in 2012? How will you get closer to living your life authentic?
more inspiration here!
8 Comments for this entry
Sue Ann Gleason
“Time for tinkering, and some space for spacing out!” I LOVE that!
From someone who used to color code her calendar, “spontaneous time” in blue, I found this post refreshing. Though I must say I need to add “Get unplugged a bit” to this list. Unless that counts as “spacing out.”
As always, I am entertained and delighted by your words.
shanna
Yes, Sue Ann, space for spacing out = time to unplug. Please do make time (and space) for that, it’s so important that we shut down a bit. Too much input coming at us all the time!
I intend to continue entertaining and delighting you with my words in 2012–have a happy new year!
nasrine
As always I needed to red this, and of course it came at a perfect time. Thank you for your thought provoking words and the idea of 2012 being the best. Happy New Year!
nasrine recently posted..Intellect Event Guide This Week
Mark Lovett
Sometimes I think my problem is the opposite, following the twists and turns of life as it unfolds before me (being swept downstream so to speak) instead of choosing to paddle in calmer waters with a clear intent. It does allow for serendipity along the way, but at the end of each year there seems to be a long list of objectives that were not addressed in the preceeding twelve months. Seems I need to work on balance.
Brilliant timing on your post, as the question “How are you going to evolve in 2012?” looms large in my thoughts this week. I’m overdue for a round of reinvention 
Mark Lovett recently posted..Is It Time to Reset Your Behaviour in 2012?
Don
As a I said in that tweet, I think that if we can collectively harvest this time then we would have an achievement. And not harvest just for economic purposes. but to put that time to intellectual, physical, spiritual, anything but the zombie-stare-at-the-tube-ism that inflicts this country, then for those other non-sleeping 8 hours, the ones when we do need to accomplish something, we would, well, actually accomplish something.
Over the holidays I’ve reading / listening to Thomas Friedman’s new book. That Used To Be Us. He speaks of the investment needed in our country. In many respects I look out the window you built in the words above, which is to take the time to invest in one’s self. And I can think of nothing more important for all of us.
Ps. I am not 6 years old so I didn’t need mom’s permission to reply
Don recently posted..Something bugging you?
shanna
Thanks, Don, for popping in and making your sage commentary. I agree with your assessment–what we need is a collective shift in the way we use time. A cultural shift where something other than the various glowing devices and consumables are what we value. I am curious about Friedman’s book–I heard a bit on NPR last year, and meant to put it on my list. So, adding it to my queue for my next library run!
And thanks being a close reader (no permission needed)!
Shenee
1st off: This is BEAUTIFUL. Your writing is gorgeous. Can’t even get over it. So good. I love the idea of evolution. It is such a great alternative to resolutions. I didn’t make any resolutions this year as far as my life is concerned because of that very reason but I did choose bravery as my word this year! I love the idea of creating space in my life to be brave and just let it breathe instead of creating challenges for myself. Really awesome!
shanna
Thank you, Shenee, for taking time to stop by my site and for commenting–I am pleased that you like my writing
Space, yes. Breathe it in, revel in it, eat it up!
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