Baby Love (It's not what you're thinking)

\ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\                         Merriam-Webster's OnLine Dictionary

1 : the act or process of resolving: as a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering : solving c : the act of determining
2 : the subsidence of a pathological state (as inflammation)
3 a : something that is resolved b : firmness of resolve
4 : a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted by an official body or assembled group
5 : the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out

When I think of the word "resolution", I think of two things: conflict resolution and New Year's resolution.  As a psychotherapist, I spend much of my work day trying to understand and resolve conflicts (usually somebody else's, granted).  But when January First rolls around, I think I tend to get stuck on the definition of the word...how it implies that before something can be "resolved" it must first be in a state of disrepair, incompleteness, or uncertainty. Usually the minute I settle on my New Year's resolution(s) it seems like I'm setting myself up for some kind of punishment.  I imagine a judge in a colonial white wig looking down over his spectacles and saying, "Katie Lauren Fitzpatrick Haag, I hereby sentence you to 1 year of guilt and regret for (inevitably) failing to uphold your resolution."  I get bogged down by all of the things about myself that could use some improvement and lose sight of the fact that what is symbolic about January First is that it is a NEW year and an opportunity to start afresh.  Just look at that Baby New Year...those pink chubby cheeks (both sets) and fat little limbs and know that from his perspective January First is the start of something great...it's time to go confidently into the new year and be as much of yourself as you possibly can (even if that means wearing nothing but a top hat). 

So...this year, I'm taking a tip from Baby New Year.  I will not "resolve" to be different.  I will aspire to be more myself.  Here are some of those aspirations...

To let myself laugh more and laugh harder

To pray when I think about praying

To send little notes and trinkets to the people I love when I'm thinking of them

To sing louder and more often whenever and wherever

To focus more on what I have than on what I don't have

To give compliments to others when they come to my mind

To be more confident in my self and those around me

To be more present with my family and friends