SassyBlonde

1. Never speak ill of a friend to others. [Sincerity, Justice] This has been one of my major failings, to be honest. I complain about some of my friends a lot to other friends, and I always feel bad for doing it when I do. I want to be a loyal and honest friend to those I assign that designation, which means talking to them when they bother me and not talking about them to other people. I know full well what people think about people who do this, and I don't want to be that person. I have a friend, Carrie, who I admire incredibly for this quality, and I'm not ashamed to say that in this I want to be like her. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Still working, even though I've improved. I can at least say I'm not ashamed of my behavior this past year in large part.][UPDATE (12/31/08): Still working, always working.]

2. Brush three times a day, floss at least once daily. [Cleanliness] One of the things my Mom always told me to do as a kid. Plus, I'm tired of worrying if I have bad breath and having to pay the dentist for fillings. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Yeah, so this one still needs work. No one hates dental floss like I do.][UPDATE (12/31/08): Better, but still hating the flossing.]

3. Be a person of my word. [Resolution] To do what I say I'm going to do when I say I'm going to do it, both in regards to myself and others. This includes being on time for appointments and meetings: I have friends who abuse this one to incredible excess, and I know what kind of impression that makes. [UPDATE (12/31/07): I have to admit-- I've gotten a lot better about this one I think, but there's still work to do..][UPDATE (12/31/08): I really think I've made some vast improvements on this one this year.]

4. Stop biting my fingernails and messing with my toenails. [Cleanliness] I need to leave this to the professionals. It makes my hands and feet look ugly, and as a performer and girly-girl, that distresses me. I also live in fear of an infected foot and losing appendages to gangrene as a diabetic, so this one is also a self-preservation thing. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Fingernails, check. Thanks Sassy Jo! Still need to leave the toenails alone.][UPDATE (12/31/08): Yeah, so this one went right back in the shitter in January, and I'm still trying.]

5. Never, ever, under any circumstances, lie to my husband about anything. [Sincerity] "Wow", you're thinking-- "That's really terrible that you have to put that on your work list." Not really, when you think about it. After all, he's my best friend, and it makes me feel bad to, for instance, fudge a little about the price of those shoes I bought that were not on sale. Yup, that's right-- I mean not EVER. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Checkity check! Doing much better on this one.][UPDATE (12/31/08): On this one at least. I can say I've never done better. Nothing like a little crisis to light a fire under your ass.]

6. Eat sensibly and in moderation. [Temperance, Frugality, Moderation] This one is a real stinker for me. I have always used food for comfort, and more often than not if I'm putting something in my mouth I'm not hungry, just eating out of some other motivation. Once again, if I ate like I should more often than not, my diabetes would also be easier to control (even though now it's well controlled). [UPDATE (12/31/07): Mmmm. Doh.][UPDATE (12/31/08): Mmmm. Food as comfort=20 pound weight gain in 2008. Crap.]

7. Keep a clean house. [Cleanliness, Order] This is something which, when it's out of balance, drives me absolutely crazy. The Muse often makes fun of my OCD tendencies, but my mother impressed on me at an early age that classy people are not dirty and don't live in dirty houses, and that has stuck with me. My friend Carrie was talking with me about the meditative quality of housework last weekend, and I want to endeavor to see the life-balance in even these small tasks. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Not so much. Still working.][UPDATE (12/31/08): 2008 was SO the year of the dust bunny. Working on changing that.]

8. Don't be an obnoxious driver. [Tranquility, Justice] The only thing stressful driving accomplishes is making my own day worse, and in the worst case putting someone else in danger. I want to endeavor to always be calm and courteous behind the wheel. [UPDATE (12/31/07): I can honestly say I think I have this one mostly licked.][UPDATE (12/31/08): Doing well on this one. All my stress is so far extended this just doesn't rate as a reason to freak out anymore.]

9. Exercise. [Industry, Resolution, Temperance, Cleanliness] Let's face it, we could all lose a few pounds, but there's something so satisfying about knowing you went out and did something healthy for yourself, and I'm no exception to this. I've always wanted to be a "runner", too, so Resolution has a special place in this one. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Nope. Not even close.][UPDATE (12/31/08):See number 6. Sat on my ass entirely too much.]

10. Practice peacefully. [Industry, Order, Tranquility] As a musician, it's so easy to become obsessed with your art. If this isn't controlled and balanced, it can lead to burnout, depression, and hatred of the very thing you're supposed to live for and love with abandon. I know-- I've been through this cycle before, and I never want to lose focus like that again. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Definitely better.][UPDATE (12/31/08): I'd be lying if I said this worked out well this year, but we can always hope and strive to be better.]

11. Approach the world with wonder. [Humility] My aunt Connie has always been a wonderful model of this quality for me. The way she reflects the world she sees always brings me great joy. She takes pleasure in small things as well as once-in-a-lifetime events, and inspires joy in those around her. [UPDATE (12/31/07): Still trying-- I think this one is definitely a moving target.][UPDATE (12/31/08): The process is ever moving on, but here's to trying even when your faith is gone.]

This isn't a final list, because in this case success is a moving target. Those of you that know me may also notice some things missing, such as, *ahem*, language. Let's face it, I love four-letter -words as much as the next girl, and flossing is higher on my list at the moment. Chastity, in theory, also isn't really up for debate or work. I'm very married and that's the end of it.

And now, I believe, it's time for me to practice Silence.