Resolutions and Revolutions

Post (C) Angela Raines

This New Year will see many of you making resolutions. A number of us made a decision/resolution to bring to readers a series of stories of the descendents of one wonderful lady. If you've been reading this post, you will know some of the story. You can even pre-order the stories. This was made possible by the revolution in publishing and the resolutions of the writers. Don't miss out, and think about your own idea of resolutions or should we say revolution.

Here is the cover to my own story in the series, "Josie's Dream"

The New Year comes at a time when the days are getting longer in the northern hemisphere, the sun rises higher in the sky, and we are ready to rid ourselves of the chill of winter. So also a time of resolution for what we wish to change, to accomplish, and be.

A search for the definition of Resolution brings up this: a firm decision to do or not to do something.

Searching for the definition of Revolution brings up the following: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

Now I’m not advocating overthrowing a government, or even our social order, but in the case of resolutions, I am advocating throwing over the old system of making resolutions that most of us can’t/don’t keep for a new system. So what you may ask do I wish to replace the old system with?

How about we give ourselves a break? It is silly to try to change a lifetime of habits, of learning, in one day, one week or even one month. Instead, let’s take the time to ponder where we really want to go,be and do. Let’s be realistic, let’s be pro-active and let’s be kind to ourselves and others as we make decisions.

1. Ask yourself, what is realistic for me to achieve in said day, week, month and year
2. Acknowledge we are human, and that life is full of interruptions
3. Decide the one dream/hope/goal that is most important
4. Break it down into steps/ideas that can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time.

The system can be adjusted to each person’s needs. Through time, we know what works for us. Experience had taught us what our limits are, what our stumbling blocks are. This does not mean we don’t stretch, don’t try something new. It does mean, we don’t set ourselves up for failure.

For three plus years I’ve written a haiku five days a week. I still love that poetic form, but 2017 will see me cutting back on that practice. I will replace it with writing short stories/novellas and one novel. These are realistic and achievable. Are they written in stone, NO! Life can change in a heartbeat, but having something that brings you joy, that you can share with the world, that is what my revolution against resolutions is about. Sure semantics play a part in this, but semantics, the use of words has power. Chose them wisely.

HERE IS TO A WONDERFUL, POWERFUL AND SUCCESSFUL 2017 TO EVERYONE.

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Watch for the release of her novel “Josie’s Dream”, part of a series mid-January 2017. Doris also writes haiku that can be found at – http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL