2015

You probably groaned when you saw this post. Not another New Year's Resolutions list that will probably be long forgotten by early February. Well, dear reader, I encourage you to have hope - because this particular list is actually going to be fulfilled throughout the course of the year 2015. So, without further ado, I present to you;

My 10 New Year's Resolutions for 2015

1. Write more. Actual pen-and-paper writing, blogging, note taking, everything. Write it all down. Don't waste a single thought. Don't be in that situation where you have a fantastic idea, but then lose it when you neglect to write it down. Making this resolution may result in the purchase of a trendy hipster moleskin notebook and quality pen.
2. Learn brush lettering (this one kind of goes along with number one). I'm actually not sure if this is something you can learn. But I've seen it on Pinterest and Instagram, and think it is absolutely gorgeous. All forms of it. It makes simple phrases so much more aesthetically pleasing. It is something that I am willing to put forth my time and efforts into. May have to invest in a starter calligraphy set, or at least a watercolor pen.
3. No sugar. Yep, you read that right. No sugar. As in no brownies, cookies, cakes, pop/soda, candy, etc. From January 1st to December 31st (and maybe longer, if all goes well), I will ingest none of that. Call it an experiment of of sorts, if you will. I tried this one last year and only lasted 'til March. I felt really bad when I caved and ate my first brownie in three months. I realize how beneficial it could be to my health (and the strength of my own willpower) if I actually held strong to this resolution and carried it through to the end of the year. So I think I'm really gonna do it this time.
4. Pray. I will admit that I am a very bad pray-er this year. As a newly revived Christian, I do believe in the power of prayer. But that power cannot even be given an opportunity to be proven if one does not pray in the first place. So this year, I'll start really talking to God again.
5. Practice selflessness. Pretty self-explanatory. 
6. Live intentionally. Have a purpose. Every life has a purpose. This year, I'm going to do my best to make every minute count. 
7. Work hard (in connection to number six). I saw this quote on Twitter a couple weeks ago that read, "Work until you don't have to introduce yourself anymore." I don't know who the quote is by, but I like it a lot. It may seem power-hungry and obsessive at first, but it simply means that you should keep working until you've gotten to the point where you're on top of your game and are satisfied with where you are. I've always been a hard worker; I'm dedicated to the things that are important to me. I'm the "don't stop until you finish what you've started" kind of person. But I could be doing more. I could be making a real difference in my own life, and in the lives of others. So in 2015, I'm really gonna put in werk.
8. Be humble. Again, self-explanatory.
9. Have twenty seconds of insane courage. This one is inspired by one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies. In the 2011 film, We Bought a Zoo, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) says, "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." I wholeheartedly agree with the philosophy behind this quote. I believe that just a tiny bit of courage can inspire something great. Even though it may be embarrassing to put yourself out there like that at first. Being an introvert as well as having dealt with anxiety for the majority of my life, "insane courage" has never come very easily to me. So in 2015, I think I'll work on that. Embarrassing bravery. Insane courage. In small doses. 
10. Be fearlessly authentic. Authenticity is a very important thing to me. I'm only a sophomore in high school, but I've already had to deal with a lot of really "fake" people. People who are embarrassed to show their true selves in public for fear of being judged or victimized, simply for their personalities. So in order to protect themselves against the harshness of modern day society, they become someone they're not. They become "fake" in order to be liked and/or accepted. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. It is very difficult for me to maintain respect for someone who already has so little respect for themselves and their true nature. So, obviously, it is a simple goal of mine to never become like these "fake" people. In order to be truly authentic, one must first be honest with oneself. "Who am I, really? Who do I want to be? Who do I want other people to see me as?" Being honest with yourself can be difficult, but accepting yourself for the way you already are is an important step in being who you truly are around everyone else in day-to-day life. In 2015, I will practice being honest with myself, and being fearlessly authentic around other people, as well.

So there you have it. My ten resolutions for the brand new year. Have a safe, healthy start to your 2015. May it be an incredible year for you! Remember to be kind, and remember to love. Make the best of every little moment. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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