[New Year's Resolution] Joy, Marathon, Minimize...and a Real Housewives Reality Check

It's that time again--the beginning of a new year, the opportunity to start fresh.  Lindsay, for as long as I've known her, has had a Word Of The Year to go hand in hand with her New Year's Resolutions and I love this idea of trying to set the tone for the months ahead.  Her word two years ago was Simplify, and her word for last year was Enjoy.  

At the risk of sounding redundant, the word I have chosen for myself this year is Joy: choosing to have joy rather than dwell on other, less productive emotions like anxiety or impatience, raising children who radiate joy and consciously spread joy to others.

I chose this particular picture because it screams joy to me.  Uncle B, a devoted and involved uncle to say the least, got a gift from friends out of state and it was packed in pink confetti.  He saw an opportunity for JOY and seized it.  He told the rest of us 'responsible adult types' not to worry, he'd clean up the mess, enjoy the moment!  And he was so right.  The happiness was tangible.

Real Housewife Confession:

I don't want this post to sound smarmy.  I'm really tired.  And I'm a complainer.  Mostly to Lindsay, sometimes my mom, sometimes Doug...sometimes I just mutter to myself at the sink in the kitchen about the cantankerous nature of a particular day.  Choosing joy over griping does NOT always come easily to me, although I am aware that in the grand scheme of things, I have very little to complain about.  Another confession?  I'm tired of having all the kids at home.  ALL. THE. TIME.  I am responsible for the three of them every second of every day and it can be tiresome to say the least.  I am ready for Haley and Hannah to start school.  Isn't that terrible?  I'm ready for sleepovers and PTA and extracurricular activities--a different kind of responsibility.  Now all the grandmas who are reading this can say in unison:  "Cherish this time!  They're only little once!  Forget the chores and obligations and just enjoy this time with them!  They're so precious!  You're going to wish they were this age again!  Don't be so impatient for these years to end!"  Does that about cover it?  I know, I know.  I'm trying.  Hence my 2011 Word Of The Year! 

And my 2011 New Year's Resolutions, keeping Joy in mind, are as follows:

Marathon: This is something just for me, my selfish thing, that brings me joy and it's all mine.  I signed up for my first full marathon in June and I am amped about it.  I just want to finish this first one.  Even if I have to crawl, I'm making it across that finish line.  And then I am going to party like a rock star.  I'm sure Mom will say, "When are you going to have time to train for a marathon???"  That's where Part 2 of my resolution comes in.

Minimize: Not just talking about "stuff" here, although we are beginning to accumulate quite a bit of it. (Our house that once felt giant now feels mildly claustrophobic).  I'd also like to minimize unnecessary obligations and time-wasters.  I take on a lot for someone with three small children at home.  And I spend too much time at the computer doing absolutely nothing.  If I'm not blogging or paying bills, there's really no reason for me to be sitting at my desk in the corner.  Less time spent on stuff, more time spent loving on my very affectionate herd of children and focused on my 26.2.

So, to sum up:  Spread joy.  Run far.  Lose stuff.

Reader question: What would your Word For The Year be?