I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions. Never believed in them. Never thought they were worth making. Yet, as 2015 approached, I found myself resolving to make big changes in the New Year. Big ones! So, I thought I would share my list in hopes it might also help loyal readers like you as we embark on this brave New Year.
? Start listening to my wife. Turns out, unbeknownst to me, she knows what she’s talking about. And likes to remind me of this when she’s right. And this is fairly often. And fairly embarrassing. And could be prevented if I just listened… once in a while. Like that Amazon Prime membership that gives us free 2-day shipping. I finally signed up and turns out: It’s awesome! Or the refrigerator with the water dispenser and automatic icemaker. Again: Awesome! But every time I use them I have to hear, “See? Told ya!” Oh, what a little listening would have prevented.
? Do fewer do-it-yourself projects. DIY is so 2014. Let this be the year of do-it-someone-else. Let some other chump climb into the scary attic with all the nails sticking out of the rafters like dragon claws. Let someone else fix un-fixable plumbing leaks and take on terrifying electrical projects that usually involve me wondering if I flipped off the right circuit breaker before slicing through wires. Too many times I’ve told my family, “I’m off to do [insert project name here.] I’ll probably die, so don’t forget the cold cuts expire soon.”
? Watch TV less and read more.
? Watch better TV.
? Get a bigger TV.
? Forget reading and sign up for Netflix.
? Invent something incredible that will make me rich. Someone told me they live near a millionaire who invented the envelope with the see-through address window. What?!? Someone invented that? It seems like common sense. But apparently it made him rich. Which made me mad! As I’m sure I have better ideas than that. Something that will change the world. Like a temporary tattoo to-do-list. Or a phone app that talks you out of dangerous DIY electrical projects. “Brian, please! You have so much to live for. A beautiful wife and child. Do you REALLY want to open up this electrical junction box?”
? Not back my car into anything this year. In fact, I resolve not to back up at all this year. I will only drive forward. Even if that means sitting in parking lots for hours until the space in front of me clears out and I can finally pull through.
? Appreciate everything. Every minute. Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I saw that on TV. It was powerful. And taught me I can learn a lot while staring at the screen for hours on end. Good thing I’m not giving it up. Plus, it will keep me from going in the attic.