And so here we meet again! New year. New month.
How did you celebrate the arrival of 2016? Did you make resolutions? I didn’t. I decided that I won’t do that anymore because I invariably disappoint myself when I do.
Instead, I tidied up my C Drive, organized my desk, and threw out a pound of food recipes I know I’ll never take the time to create.
In a way those are resolutions, I guess. Get organized. Get real. Then I took a hike. A short one because it started to rain, but did I complain? Absolutely not. Another resolution? Don’t complain. Accept. I came home, curled up with good book, and lost myself in someone else’s story. Ahhhh! Relax. Take it easy. Read more.
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| Sneaky Resolutions |
I feel as if resolutions have crept up on me when I wasn’t paying attention. Pay attention, for heaven sakes!
I was enjoying my holiday and not making resolutions, when the government called me to duty. Yep. I’m officially on Jury Duty this month. My first reaction was this.
Good thing I didn’t resolve not to get upset this year. But then I remembered my conversation with a disinterested, non-voter about civic responsibility in a free country, and I quickly changed my attitude to this.
If I’m not around, I’ll be on duty. Oh, I’ll be taking notes, too. I may need to write a courtroom scene one of these days. Put a positive spin on things! Oye! Can you direct me to Resolution Support Group, please?
Quote of the Week: “Our most dangerous tendency is to expect too much of government and at the same time do for it too little.” Warren G. Harding
Maybe we'll see a jury duty scene in one of your books? I was a witness for the crown once. I was so nervous. Not comfortable with that much attention. The jury was studying every word. I was shaking so badly my teeth were chattering. Hope the chairs are comfy.
I definitely think you'll find a story within the jury-duty assignment, and then putting "a positive spin on things" will be a snap. Happy New Year (of reading and writing!).
Hi, Lee,
Happy New Year! Love the positive attitude… Yes, I need to NOT COMPLAIN either. Been doing that for months… Never rehab a loft. UGH… Posted pics if you have time to drop by…
ALL the best this year!
Great attitude, and you say you haven't made any resolutions – oh yes you have. Good luck, I wish you great success.
Oh the food recipes. I need to ditch a ton of those, too. Good luck with jury duty. I've been called twice. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Actually, it was nice seeing our judicial process work. I learned a lot. All the best to you in 2016!
That's what I'm hoping for, Sheri!
Super resolutions! I haven't made any, I never do. 🙂 Why set myself up to fail? Lol
As for dury duty – scary, but I think I'd find it interesting. 🙂
Happy 2016. May it bring blessings and bounty!
Shah X
shahwharton.com
Indeed. We could use some blessings and I won't ignore any bounty that comes my way.
Get real. Accept. Relax.
Fantastic new year resolutions!
Check back later in 2016 and I'll let you know how well I did keeping those. 🙂
Happy New Year. I also make doable goals. I also did a lot of cleaning over my break. It was great throwing things out and cleaning up my files.
The best part was that I found a lot of things I'd misplaced last year.
Great post for the New Year Lee. Good luck with your Jury Service, I recall my late husband doing his bit for the government.
Yvonne.
I guess we should all be willing to do our civic duty.
Happy New Year Lee! I wish you a year filled with inspiration (including jury duty), good health and lots of fun.
Thanks so much, Nicola!
I think goals work well, but resolutions are a slippery slope. I like one of my Pastor's resolutions for this year: finish a whole stick of chapstick before losing it. 🙂 I can try that one.
That might be doable! Your Pastor sounds like someone with good common sense.
I like to organize for the New Year, too. I hope you have an inspiring jury duty case!
Let's just hope it's a short and sweet, you're guilty or not guilty type of case if I'm chosen.
I'm not a fan of resolutions, either. I already feel enough like a failure on a daily basis without New Years adding another reminder, LOL.
And wow, that sucks about jury duty. Taking notes sounds like a great idea, though. You never know when knowledge like that will come in handy!
I think you're right. Each day you don't live up to what you vowed to, you feel terrible. No resolutions!
I always plan to get organized or at least do better at something. Some years I do better than others.
I have never been called to jury duty. Not that I want to go, but I find it odd. I vote. I own property. Aren't those the things that are supposed to get you called? Oh well. I'll enjoy the peace and take your advice and not complain!
You're a good girl, Elizabeth. Maybe you could call them, say you'd like to sit in for Lee McKenzie and then you'd have the experience and could pass that off to me. Just kidding! But I am surprised you've never been called.
You're a good girl, Elizabeth. Maybe you could call them, say you'd like to sit in for Lee McKenzie and then you'd have the experience and could pass that off to me. Just kidding! But I am surprised you've never been called.
Happy New Year!! I didn't make any resolutions this year! I was called to jury duty when I had 5 kids under the age of 7 at home. I wrote a letter telling them my dilemma, and they haven't called me since…
I'm writing that down. However, at my age, I'm sure they'd be a tad suspicious. 🙂
Heh heh. Every time I get called to Jury duty, I manage to find an excuse to dodge it. So far so good. Hope you have fun!! I don't make resolutions either. What a waste of mental power. Of course, I take my hat off to those who do. Doesn't hurt to want to improve things in your life, but apparently the good intentions peter out after 6 weeks. I was surprised it was that long! Anyway, Lee, HNY! I know we're going to have a blast…after jury duty is over. 🙂
I'm going to my workout this morning, and my bet is the gym will be packed. It always is in early January. By the end, it's just us regulars that are there. Thanks for the visit, Denise. See you lots in 2016.
I have not made resolutions in years for the same reason. I hope I am never called for jury duty but that quote is so great that it makes me think differently. I follow a blog-Vidya Sury's-she decided to go through a room and just get rid of 2 things, every week (I think). I have tried to do this but my hubby finds things and brings it back in!
Oh, I love Vidya's idea. I've been doing it all wrong. I keep attacking cupboards and hoping to empty them. That's not working, but the two things a week just might. Thanks, Birgit.
Good luck with jury duty. Definitely could be something there that will come up in one of your books!
Glad you were able to start the year with a hike, even if it was shorter than you might have wanted. You have a wonderful attitude and I wish you a fabulous year ahead. 🙂
~Jess
Let's make our 2016 the absolute best, Jess.
You have written a very inspiring post, Lee. Love your sense of humor. Smiles are a good way to start the new year. Enjoy the jury experience.
Smiles are the best. I agree. Let's hope our year is filled with them and a few belly laughs.
Happy January!
I LOVED jury duty! I did actually learn a lot and I love watching other people. You know its good research! Best of luck with it!
Heather
I think we have a "I Love Jury Duty" group out there for you. I'll let you know what happens. 🙂
Ugh to jury duty. 🙁 I hope it's over quickly.
Will do!
Those are good attitudes for the year. I might have to steal some and see if I can make 2016 even better. 😉
Take whatever you want. Tell me how they work out for you. 🙂
Good luck with jury duty!!!
I like your resolutions 🙂
Thanks, Jemi. Darned those resolutions. Now I have to remember them for over 300 days!
We the people springs to mind. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few might sound cliché but its very true. Happy New Year!
We must remember these cliches because at their heart is what is true. Thanks, Spacerguy.
I guess jury duty is great first hand research – good positive spin on that one, Lee. I love your accidental resolutions. I joked on Facebook that I was going to perfect the art of selfie taking, which in a very short space of time has turned into taking one selfie per day. I probably won't share them, but it'll be great to look back on the year and appreciate everything.
What a super idea! I love that. Selfies as historical–in my case–hysterical–records. Thanks for the idea.
Jury duty. I've crossed that path a few times. The first time is interesting. The second and third is more "What excuse do I have to get out of here." Anyway, happy 2016.
I understand. Don't you think the county figures out who will come when called and who won't? You're obviously a good citizen.
Yikes! A conversation like that would make me appreciate jury duty. Non-voting, anti-civic duty … I'll bet that person leaves the grocery cart in his/her parking pace instead of returning it, too!
I'm supposed to be on jury duty this week, but I broke my foot over Christmas and can't walk or drive. So I was excused. (I swear I didn't do it on purpose. It wouldn't have been worth it.)
You broke your foot? That's terrible. Jury duty is a much easier alternative, indeed! I return my shopping cart–sometimes. Well, most of the time. Seldom. I must start this year with honesty.
Glad you're trying to stay positive this year. I don't have a ton of really set resolutions for the year; more like goals that I've always had and just really want to work on. I DO like the idea of a word for each year, so this year I'm going with Exploration!
-Lauren
Oh, yes. A word. I have a writers' group that does that each year. Now I have to remember what I chose in 2015! Have a great year, Lauren.
Happy New Years! I think my only resolution is to stay in the Christmas spirit all year long…and to publish my debut novel this August;)
Let us know when your book's out!
Funny how those resolutions just sort of creep up on you 🙂
I know. They came as I was writing the blog post!
Oh, good attitude. I really hate jury duty but it is a duty. I might feel differently if the justice system ran a little smoother. The whole process is so wasteful of money, people's time and the frivolous cases. I did read a really long book the last time I went.
Maybe I could write an expose on the system!
I loved jury duty, sorry, I'm odd. I looked at it as an adventure and it was. I wish they'd call me up again, but hasn't happened yet! 🙂
I know it's an inconvenience but it is eye opening. You'll enjoy it, well, at least find it interesting.
Resolutions, goals, the same to me and as an avid goal setter and achiever – love them!
Happy New Year!
You can have my spot! I'd love to make you happy.
I love getting organized for the New Year. 🙂
Jury Duty…yuck. Good luck with that!
And I hope you have a great 2016!
Let's see how long I stay that way! And I'm hoping jury duty is painless.
hope you don't get some nasty case 🙂
That's my greatest fear! But I could write a crime novel. Maybe.
Those sneaky little resolutions! Hey, what a way to put a spin on something! I like it. Happy New Year!
They do creep up when you're not looking. I'll let you know how the JD turns out.
Happy New Year. Good things to do. Good luck with jury duty.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Ugg, true we should look at jury duty as that, but I'd rather avoid it forever haha
Not much we can do. It is a responsibility, just time consuming.
I got called in once, but they picked people before me and had no "refusals" so I just sat in the waiting room and read for 2 weeks. I don't make resolutions, but yours sound wise. 🙂
Two week? I'm getting nervous.
Good luck with the jury duty! May 2016 be a wonderful year for you. 🙂
I appreciate that, Misha. Same to you.
Good luck with the jury duty. Sounds like you have a great attitude to start the new year. Me too.
Thanks, Natalie. Hoping this will be a great year for all of us.
You might as well accept the jury duty, because it's going to happen. I've only been on jury duty once but fortunately I wasn't picked.
You're right. Do it and see what happens.
I've never made New Year's resolutions which tend to fly away as soon as I open a window to air out the house. But, like you, I'm making an effort to organize and clean out stuff. I've been called for jury duty, but never had to sit, though a part of me has wanted to have the experience.
Happy New Year, Lee!
You can take my place if I'm chosen. I'll call you. 🙂
When you show up for jury duty, wearing a flag towel, I expect you will be dismissed! I shouldn't say this because I have been called to jury duty so many times, but it has now been nearly ten years since the Feds had me on their jury pool for the big leagues (federal court). Have a blessed New. Year!
Oh dear. You and I seem to be popular, but glad they've ignored you at the Fed level for a while.
I hadn't thought of wearing the towel, but you've given me a great idea. Thanks.
I decided not to make any resolutions this year since they never seem to work out, but I am hoping to get some organizing done as well.
Sorry about jury duty! My fiance has it this month, too. But since he's 30 and it's his first time and I had to go pretty much the second I turned 18 I just give him a hard time about it. 🙂
Ha! Well, this is my fourth time. I think they like me at city hall.
Hi Lee – that was bad timing .. but I'm sure you'll turn it to good use for a book or two …
Happy New Year … and I too need to tidy things up – this week … Happy New Year – cheers Hilary
You just never know what will happen when you do something new. Hoping for the best. Looking forward to this year and reading your great blog.
Jury duty sucks but it's something we need to do.
I did some organizing as well. Amazing how fast things pile up when you ignore them.
Absolutely. I can now actually find things I stored away last year.