I am not a winter person, but I have plans!
By Sandra Post | 1st January 2008
January, new month, new year, new start! My kind of deal with one exception, the weather. After living in the Midwest my entire life, it’s reasonable to assume I’ve made peace with winter. I haven’t. But one of my annual resolutions is to maintain a positive attitude and quit grumbling about what does or doesn’t fall from the sky. Some years I do better with these character-building resolves than others. This year, I’ve picked up the pace. Like it or hate it, winter is the price we pay for the perks we enjoy such as lower cost of living, less traffic, and a greater sense of grassroots and familiarity in our neighborhoods. Healthy eating, healthy living are repeat resolutions. Having made some strides in the fight against fat, I hope to continue seeing less of me. It’s a slow process and exercise is never going to be my pastime of choice, but 45 to 60 minutes of time each day is a small price for improved health.
And then there’s organization, another January 1st resolution repeat.Yes, considerable progress is ongoing, but I’ve yet to master the less is more philosophy. Just before Christmas, I detail my “after the holidays plan” to my husband. He’s heard the story before, which might account for his glazed expression. Instead of encouraging me in my search for Organizational Nirvana, he tells me I have more papers in my possession than some small businesses. I am annoyed.
I remind him how I’ve shared the best years of my life with him, and so what if they came with a paper trail. It’s kept us from getting bored. Every day’s an adventure of remembering, “Now where did I put that?” Or “Have you seen?” followed by multiple choices. This year will be different. If I depart this earth suddenly, I don’t want to be embarrassed at my mess left behind nor do I wish to burden my loved ones with my stuff. They’ll just snicker and speculate about why I kept certain things. But if it’s organized, read neatly filed and labeled, they’ll be intrigued and exceedingly busy trying to determine the importance of my papers.
Contrary to the advice of the organizational gurus who say purge, then purchase, I’ve already secured storage tubs, file folders, filing cabinets, fancy folders, paper clips, rubber bands, and etc. I am good to go!
So when my friends and neighbors, who did not resolve to remain positive no matter how high the snow drifts, are suffering from cabin fever and the like, I will be busy categorizing, and reducing the stacks of paper, much to the surprise and pleasure of hubby dear and our children three.
If my life expectancy takes a fast turn for the worse, I’ll be prepared. If life continues as planned, I’ll be organized and able to produce documentation for the simplest query. The challenge is getting started and staying focused. I’m easily distracted, which might explain why I’m confronted with this paper back up in the first place.
Downsizing is my challenge and goal for ‘08. Fewer papers, less of me, cleaned off horizontal surfaces, and hopefully less winter weather. The last one is not within my realm of authority but the first three I can accomplish. To a Happy, Tidy New Year!