New Year’s Resolutions? My intentions are always good—a new year, a clean slate, a new beginning! I never have a problem coming up with the resolutions, it’s the follow through I struggle with. I wish that simply flipping the page of the calendar would somehow motivate me to drink more water, other than the melted ice cubes in my diet coke, or get the laundry folded before our drawers are empty of socks or underwear, or pick up the dog poop more than . . . I do! Like I said, my intentions are always good!

I do, however, find inhalation in the written word—so I thought I’d share with you a twist, if you will, on some possible resolutions for 2009. I have no idea where I got it or who wrote it, but it inspires me in regards to what is important to me—my family. So for those of you making resolutions and for those of you who just take life as it comes, I hope you enjoy this.

Loving Our Children. . .

Be there. Say yes as often as possible. Let them bang on pots and pans. If they’re crabby, put them in water. If they’re unlovable, love yourself. Realize how important it is to be a child. Go to the Movie Theatre in your PJ’s. Read books out loud with joy. Invent pleasures together. Remember how really small they are. Giggle a lot. Surprise them. Say no when necessary. Teach feelings. Heal your own inner child. Learn about parenting. Hug trees together. Make loving safe. Bake a cake and eat it with no hands. Go find elephants and kiss them. Plan to build a rocket ship or a go cart. Imagine yourself magic. Make lots of forts with blankets. Reveal your own dreams. Search out the positive. Keep the gleam in your eye. Mail letters. Encourage silly. Plant licorice in your garden. Open up. Stop yelling. Express your love. A lot. Speak kindly. Paint their tennis shoes. Handle with caring.

Children are miraculous.

Here’s to you and your resolutions, whatever they may be! Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2009!