Happy New Year! January 1, here we are again. You are one of my favorite days of the year, with all of your blank freshness. You are a happy mystery, one that I hope will lead to more good days than bad.

I alternate between committing to resolutions each year, and not. Once upon a time (when I was still dewy-eyed and hopeful and kidding myself), I set actual resolutions. The kind that's difficult to measure, like: be a better student, stop procrastinating, be a better daughter.

As I've grown older, I've learned how the human mind (or mine) operates a little better. I need mileposts to keep me on track, explicit measures of completion. Plus, I've long ago swapped those boring, drag-gy resolutions for fun ones that will hopefully measure up someday to a life well lived.

Things I'd like to accomplish this year:
- learn more about photography, how to better use my camera, and how to better edit my photos
- read 20 books
- teach myself Spanish (a 2011 goal)
- meditate every day
- drink more water
- finish "White Teeth" once and for all!

Some of these goals were on my 2013 list, unfortunately, like meditating, and finishing "White Teeth." I did, however, finish "On Beauty," begin taking a photo a day, and write in my journal every single day. Go me! Still no full song or songwriting career yet, though. Maybe this will be the year?

My overall resolution for the year is the same it's been since about 2005, and that's to live presently. Be in the moment, and make the most of whatever it is I'm faced with, good or bad. I think that's a life-long goal, and the ultimate serenity, happiness, success.

Do you have any goals or resolutions?