And so just like that, 2010 is part of history.  And of course with every start of a new year, comes the much ballyhooed new year’s resolutions.  Admit it or not, while some of you swear to have kept–in one way or another–the resolutions you have made january of the previous year, most of you faltered (read:  failed) to uphold at least one item–whatever it was–on your list.  Now while I was pondering on what to do this 2011 last night and early this morning, i stopped and thought:  “instead of resolutions, why not make some sort of ‘list of guidelines’ to live by this year?”  So I chipped away at the idea, pondering on the difference between making the traditional resolutions against what I came up with.

 

Then I finally hit something.  With resolutions, you’re tied down to specifics.  “i’ll be more of this,” or “i won’t do that,” or “i’ll make it a point to do this.”  See?  Specifics.  With the guidelines principle, it’s more of having some elbow room to move around, without really missing the big picture of what you want to achieve.  Or do.  Or change in yourself.  Whatever.  And I guess that with the guidelines, it’s geared more towards your attitude because it’s attitude that’s what makes you want to do this, or that.  In short, it’s not a change by yourself, it’s a change within yourself.  Granted, some of the “guidelines” I came up with for myself may look like specifics too, but really, it’s how you want to gradually make the change to be that different of a person this year.  To cut the long explanation short–and to not sound like someone from a bad spin-off of a Pirates of the Carribean movie (“they’re more of guidelines, really than the code” — that line keeps running through my head)–making the list of guidelines for yourself is exactly that:  to each his or her own.

 

Okay, enough with the self-science.  The list below is what I conceptualized for myself as guidelines for 2011.  I decided to limit it to 13.  Yes, like the number of round fruits that ought to have been served in the dining table on new year’s eve.  That number may be bad luck to some, but i thought, “why not face the reputation of 13 head on?”  This is the only time i’ve written them down because most of them were still in the formulation stage.  Should you like the concept, you’re free to create your own and derive some of the items from my list (read:  copy).  Or maybe, this can apply to everyone else.  Hey, this would work for me.  For any of you, i don’t really know.  Maybe.

 

1.  Be positive and stay positive.

2.  Repeat number one.

3.  Say what you feel, as long as you know it’s the truth, or at least has some semblance of it.  Be it about a person, situation, or anything that tickles your fancy, strikes a chord, or messes you up.  Don’t hold back.  Being tactless is something people who can’t handle the truth came up with as an excuse.

4.  Dream big and aim high.

5.  Do anything and everything within reason to make number four a reality and hit it.  Anything falling short of them or settling for “the good that came out of it” is not an option.

6.  In every undertaking for number five, remember these words:  “discipline and focus.”

7.  Flirt, date, get laid.

8.  Fall in love.

9.  Do not do the latter part of number seven to just to get to number 8.  You know better than that.

10.  Screen your opportunities carefully.  While most others say grab every single one, remember that opportunities are generic in nature.  Some may help you, while others may look like to help you, but are really to doom you.

11.  Pray.  Whatever religion you’re in, even if you’re an agnostic, it doesn’t hurt to ask help from the forces of good; and thank them once in a while.

12.  Pamper yourself.  However, whenever, whatever.

13.  When all else fails, go back to number one.

 

Looking back at it, it’s like the list can apply to almost everyone.  Again, as i’ve mentioned, to each his or her own.  Of course, numbers seven through 9 are applicable only to single individuals like me, but that can always be changed by those who aren’t.  What do you think?

 

Remember that this list of guidelines aren’t here to change my life or your life this 2011, it’s here to help live life at least in the way I think it should be.  Hey, whatever works, right?  Whether it be traditional resolutions or a set of guidelines for the year, what’s important is that we make each new year something better for all of us.  And remember, it’s not just about starting the year right, it’s how you complete the entire year that matters.  Hope everyone had a safe and joyous welcome to the new year.  Here’s to 2011, a new year and a start of a new decade.  May it bring prosperity, good health, hot lovin’, and happiness to everyone.

 

Happy new year!  😀