Did you watch the ball drop? Did you enjoy that extra second we got? I thought it was a particularly nice second, didn't you?
Actually, I was busy transferring the rest of my CDs to the computer so I can group them into playlists on my iPod, and didn't even notice the time until 0019--and that ball was history. And since the TV here in the living room is STILL not functioning, there was nothing to remind me. So I just shut the computer off and went to bed.
I obviously don't have this iPod thing down yet--there must be an easier way to group all my music together in categories than to laboriously click each song and drag it to the folder. I have 8 or 9 Sarah Brightman CDs alone, so that's what, 80-90 songs that I have to click and drag? There's got to be an easier way!
In the meantime, as I sit and click and drag, I've been pondering the option of New Year's resolutions. I haven't made any in years, because they went the way of most resolutions....to Resolution Cemetery. So I'm not inclined to resurrect them, because what's the point?
However, new season, new year, a bit of quiet here as we adjust to Life After the Holidays--all has lead to some introspection. I've decided on a theme for this year instead: Thriftiness. I thought about "Frugal" but the definition had a negative cast to it:
1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager.
2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.
Meager? Scanty? Mmmm, no, just didn't inspire me.
"Thrifty", on the other hand, was more positive:
1. practicing thrift or economical management.
2. thriving, prosperous, or successful.
3. thriving physically; growing vigorously.
Now, we're doing okay right now, even though census has been low for a while, and I haven't had a full paycheck since September. We just aren't putting much in savings. All this has been simmering in my subconscious a while, I guess, and as I have become more aware this year of just how much we really have compared to the rest of the world, I've had to ask myself if I've been a good steward of those things I am blessed with: not just money, but time, resources, health, belongings, relationships.
The answer is a shameful "no".
So my Plan is to begin to ask myself, "Am I being thrifty with________(fill in the blank)? Is this the best use for _____________ (ditto)? What's the wisest move here?"
Now, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I know myself well enough to realize that if it is too hard or too time-consuming, I will get frustrated and abandon all good intentions. (I'm SUCH an extremist--it's so all or nothing with me). To be as successful at this as possible, I plan to start by taking 15 minutes each week to look at what I have done, haven't done, and could do better, and to formulate a goal for the upcoming week. At some point, I might be able to evaluate things on a more frequent basis, or spend a little more time at it, but for now, 15 minutes a week is do-able. And do-able insures success, which spurs me on to more effort, etc., etc., etc.
One way to do this is join Judy Laquidara's Stash Busters Group. As I bring all the fabric and supplies back into the sewing room/holiday guest room, I will re-evaluate UFOs and refamiliarize myself with the fabrics I already have.
This morning as I drank my coffee, I purged some cards from my recipe box of those dishes I will never make. Honestly, I know J-Man doesn't like ginger, or curry, or feta cheese, or lots of garlic (he's no fun), and to make those dishes would be a waste of food and time. Having the cards in the box wastes space, and makes me feel guilty that I'm not a better cook. That guilt is a waste of time and internal resources.
Small successes. Prosperity. Thriving.
I think it's a pretty good Plan, myself.
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Would this be the appropriate time to mention we ordered a mini-notebook computer from QVC this morning?
I can justify it.
No, really.
You can email me if you want to know the reasons.
I just didn't want you all to think I wasn't being completely honest here.
11 comments:
Happy New Year . . . . I like your outlook and plan. I need to work in the same way to get results. Wishing you all the best in the new year!
I like your outlook ...good plan. It is a lot like the way I choose to live. Happy New Year.
thrifty...good goal. we are needing to continue to be thrifty...more job crap...ooh sorry, there goes my "be positive" resolution and that happened before the day was over. damn.
thrift is good!
I wanna know all the reasons!!
and,
are you gonna be posting this 15min of reflection and weekly goal??
I just love the new backdrop. My fav so far!!
Good plan. I like it. I could benefit from a little clutter clearing...starting with the recipe folders.
Good goal! Thrifty is in!
I don't have mine in front of me, but if you hold down the shift key and highlight a range of songs, you should be able to pull them all into folders. iTunes organizes albums and artists automatically, so you shouldn't have to set up separate folders for each...
Happy New Year and happy listening!
Happy New Year!
Being thrifty is a very good goal!
I, too would benefit from de-cluttering :)
I am with you, I am going to try to do without more "things". Okay, I already have the mini notebook computer. And I would like a kindle. I read A LOT!! But the stash is slowly being tamed, and I will work on other parts of my life. Maybe.
I'm playing catch up with blog reading today, read about poor Tandi. She seemed okay when your company visited--how is she feeling now? Poor thing, how old is she? I enjoyed reading your thoughts about thriftiness, especially the part about being a good steward of the things we are blessed with. I've always thought I was pretty thrifty, EXCEPT where my sewing is concerned. But upon closer examination, that may not be (isn't) completely true either. We live in a materialistic society, so we probably all can find ways to improve. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I need to be more thrifty, too. I can now start because I did some serious shopping over the holidays; at least, it was a lot of shopping for me!:) I do want an ipod though.
I agree that it is too easy to want things *ipod for me* without really having the need for it. I am going to try to start thinking if I need something versus just wanting it. I know I just "want" somethings... I need to think about how much I would use it and if it really is a need.
Happy New Year! I enjoyed this post very much. I especially liked your thoughts on being good stewards of the things that we are blessed with. Thank you for the reminder. :~)
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