Our Rural Roots

Resolve To Eat Dessert First

(Progressive Farmer image by Jennifer Campbell)

I'll be honest: I've never been much on setting New Year's resolutions. The world is too big, and my brain sees too many squirrels.

Start a podcast, why not!

Have a blog, that sounds fun!

Write a children's book, I can do that!

Keep the house clean, don't make me laugh!

But, in December 2018, I was sitting in a cancer support group when the inevitable "resolution question" was posed.

I won't lie, a little panic set in. I'd never had a real resolution. I am a full-fledged adult and supposed to have goals and ambitions? Frightening!

So, I did what I always do in a panic situation: I shot from the hip, applying humor, and said the first thing that popped into my head: "My goal this year is to eat dessert first -- and not just metaphorically but literally -- and I encourage everyone to do the same."

Thinking back, I realize I may never intentionally set goals or resolutions, but I have accomplished things that seemed like mountains. At the end of a year, I like to consider what I have accomplished and whether I made a difference. Did I make the most of what I have available? Did I do my best in every situation I was dealt?

More often than not, I make a "did" list instead of a "to-do" list. Because at the end of most days, I've found it's never gone as planned. Just because it wasn't originally part of the plan doesn't mean I didn't accomplish anything.

I can say without hesitation that my "eat dessert first" resolution got a big, fat check mark as completed.

In fact, I like the concept so much, I think I'll use it again this year and just keep rolling with the punches.

Follow Jennifer on Twitter @plowwife. Visit www.farmwifefeeds.comand podcast at girlstalkagpodcast.libsyn.com.

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