'June 1, 1770. Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment[332]. This opinion of our own constancy is so prevalent, that we always despise him who suffers his general and settled purpose to be overpowered by an occasional desire. They, therefore, whom frequent failures have made desperate, cease to form resolutions; and they who are become cunning, do not tell them. Those who do not make them are very few, but of their effect little is perceived; for scarcely any man persists in a course of life planned by choice, but as he is restrained from deviation by some external power. He who may live as he will, seldom lives long in the observation of his own rules[333].'

Life of Johnson Vol_02 Page 32
James Boswell

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Each year I only make one resolution and try very hard to keep it. I have over the years observed that it is easier to keep a resolution which is fixed, quantified, measurable. "Getting more (or enough) exercise" is too vague... there is no way to determine success, so failure is ever-present. However the year in which I decided to learn how to read music was a success (I also taught myself the recorder well enough to play duets). After looking at sacks of sketches and boxes of unfinished works back about '82 or '83 I decided to complete one signable piece of art a month. It didn't have to be a full painting, but it had to be DONE. ...And doing 2 one month didn't negate the need to finish one the next. I ended the year with 13 finished, signed works.

Some years have personal goals and some professional, but no year is wasted in which something, anything, is accomplished. Whether it is planting a garden, setting up a website, dealing with paperwork or grooming, entering an art show... there is something obvious and positive to point to, which helps counter the depression.

I haven't yet made my resolution for this year (I haven't joined the Procrastinator's Club, either). It might be to go back to holding my monthly Artist Tea Parties (hugs versus housework) and another Poser User's Party (I have enjoyed seeing folks ftf). Maybe it will be to catch up on the correspondence. Maybe it will be to take all these miles of files and actually make some art... possibly an image a month uploaded to the gallery. I have to think a bit more, but whatever it is, I'll try very, very hard to keep it.

Carolly

Message edited on: 01/01/2005 15:38