New Year's Resolutions

Scrap that! I don't like the word "resolutions". Sounds like a bunch of CEOs sitting around their friggin' corporate boardroom table. So what word shall I use? Goals? Nah, "goals" has been worn out by too much use. Aims? Same difference. I think I'll settle for "aspirations". It works for me. But hey, use whatever works for you.

So here they are then, my aspirations for 2006:

• Finish Book-in-Progress. Miss L. asked me the other day what I would regret I hadn't done most of all if I were to die, and this is what I came up with. Actually, how the conversation started was Miss L telling me I spent too much time on the internet. She asked whether, one day when I died, I would regret not spending more time on the internet. Touche!!
• Deepen my relationship with Miss L. There has definitely been a breakthrough in our communications in the past few days and I want to build on this. Whether she ends up living with me, or her stepdad, either way I want her to know that I am always there for her. Always.
• Start a meditation and stretching programme. Back in 2001 I spent half an hour a day every day in formal, concentrated meditation. That was after the 10 day silent retreat I did at the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo. I need it back. Reading back on my journals from that time, I can see that it definitely grounded me, made me more aware of the present moment and facilitated a string of valuable insights. The stretching is important too. Between sitting in front of the cmptr, and lying reading books or listening to music, my lifestyle has become far too sedentary. And whilst there is no way I want to get back into the hectic, body-obsessed high fitness lifestyle of 5 years ago, zero body movement is not a good idea.

Well, that's it for now. Maybe I'll add a few more in the next couple days.