I don't believe in resolutions, because the idea of failure is endemic to the word "resolution." However, I do believe in fresh starts and changes, and a "vision" for the New Year. For some reason, I can feel that 2004 is going to rock. In fact, I was so sure of it, that I was writing 2004 on my checks back in June (mostly, I just wanted to kick 2003 out the door. Not that it didn't have its moments, but enough with the pain!).

My personal vision for myself for 2004 can be summed up with the following statements: I relinquish my need to judge any people, places or things, not even women who get stuff put in their upper lip to make them look like their husbands just beat them (though, I admit it does give me a chill), or even judgmental people (though I guess I am judging judgementalism, since I judge it worth relinquishing). I also relinquish the need for control over my life (which takes the form of obsessive thinking) and self- and other-criticism (which takes the form of a running dialogue of 14-year-old caddiness in my head). I envision an open heart in romantic relationships, new avenues of income, and spontaneous adventures (which entails NOT using the phrase "I'm really tired, I think I'll just crash." It's good a few times a year, not every weekend!).
And, finally, since nothing ever seems to turn out as I plan it, I relinquish all attachments to specific visions (I'm not even going to envision the opposite of what I want in a manipulative attempt to fool the universe).
I also plan to paint my kitchen, get more pedicures, and actually read my blogs after I've typed them for typos (even if they makes me cringe with embarrassment...God, who would write that?).

So long 2003! Seeya never!
Happy New Year's!