Happiest 2008, everyone!

I love how a new year begins, with hopes and promises and expectations and dreams. A hope to lose weight, a promise to stop smoking, an expectation of a better year than last or a dream to learn something new. It's sad when this all dies down within a few weeks or months, but there are always some things that hold true and carry throughout the next 365 days.

A new year is an excuse for a fresh start. Now, it's true, you can really have a fresh start at any time, any day you want. But when the new year begins, it's a socially accepted time to start over or start again. And I think there's a better chance to succeed. For some reason, the whole notion of a New Year's resolution is more important to people than, say, a decision any other time.

I've never made a New Year's resolution, largely, I think, due to the fact that I didn't think I would carry through. But this year I decided to try. There's a lot I thought about. I do want to lose weight. I do want to be healthier. I do want to be a better writer and editor. I want to volunteer more and be, in general, more productive. But, to really stick with a resolution, I figured it should be something that makes me happier. Something that I won't stress about keeping up with. And what better, I decided, than crafting?

So my New Year's resolution is to craft at least once a week. I'm hoping to do more, but I also want to be realistic. I'm giving myself two weeks to get all of my craft supplies organized, and then I will be crafting up a storm! A slightly silly resolution, yes. But I think I can manage it and, in the long run, it will make me happier and certainly less stressed. And in my busy life, I so need something like that.

Wish me luck, readers. And I hope all of your hopes are achieved, you stay true to your promises, your expectations are fulfilled and your dreams become realities.

Happy New Year!