New Year's

I was never really one for New Year's resolutions. Rosh Hashana is really the time for renewal. It works out well with a new school year and a way to clean up after a summer of freedom. By the time January 1st rolls around, I am too engrossed in my current day to day activities to really buckle down and join the "New Year's Resolution fad."
But this year was different. A few days before the ball dropped, I resolved to get in better shape. Two years ago I ran in a marathon and had spent the year training. Going to seminary and then getting into the college-mode got in the way of training for another one, so I was starting to feel gross.

1. Get in shape.

Coming back after a year of spiritual growth and highs was hard. Seminary was an incredible year of introspection and honesty for me and returning the "Shmutz LaAretz" started taking its toll. I knew I was losing myself in the daily grind of classes, homework, trying to get a job, and adjusting to "being an adult." But I didn't know how badly I was getting lost. After a DMC with someone, I realized I had to take control of my life, and make decisions and choices that would improve my circumstances and life.

2. Make choices that will improve my quality of life.

If there is one thing that I know about myself, it's that I like people. I am a very social-able,  personable, and often, overly talkative person. I can find topics of conversation for any kind of person and can adapt to different discussions, even if only a little bit. I have a great group of friends, but for the most part, either they are in Israel for a second year, too busy with their own college schedule, getting engaged, getting married, having kids, or just plain busy, and that limits my social opportunities. I felt so limited that I simply stopped trying. I didn't go out. I didn't invite people over. I was becoming lonely and upset. As an extrovert, I was simply going mad. So I made resolution number three.

3. Make a conscious effort to connect with friends (phone, text, email, in person)/hang out even if it's hard or frustrating.

I think the concept of New Year's, as secular as it is, as widely accepted day of starting over, I decided that it's a good time to reevaluate and create a new plan for a new year. Rosh Hashana is certainly the pivotal day for change, but even things in the secular world can be used to improve our physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

So it's been a New Year for a week. So far I have kept to my resolution's pretty well and I feel better already. So, for  my readers, I wonder: Did you make a resolution? What is it? Have you stuck to it?

Happy New Year's!