For most of the past few years and certainly throughout early 2010, I had what I felt were great excuses why I didn't...fill-in-the-blank. I was busy with school. I didn't like my job. I wanted to move. Now that I've graduated, changed jobs to one I really enjoy, and have moved to California...I have no more excuses. At the risk of this post being another New Year's Resolutions post, I'd like to publicly explain two things that I want to do differently in 2011. Of course, I want to exercise more and eat better. Most people do, so I'm not going to bother giving those resolutions any explanation... Here's my top two:
I, Matt Jones, hereby resolve to spend more time playing video games. This morning and last night, I was at the Loucks' place and watched Pucky play on the Xbox 360. He played Black Ops, a trial version of a creepy little game called Limbo, and an obstacle course game that's a lot harder than it looks. Sometimes we all (including the kids) were watching him, sometimes we weren't. It didn't seem to matter to Pucky. He really seemed to be enjoying himself and I couldn't think of a good reason why I shouldn't enjoy playing video games, too. My family sure doesm and we have the systems to prove it: Two Nintendo Wiis, two Xbox 360s, a PS3, and a PS2...not to mention the PCs, laptops, and handheld devices... Why don't I use them? I don't know, but as of today I'm going start. I loved playing video games as a kid and there's no reason I shouldn't play them as an adult. No more excuses...
I, Matt Jones, hereby resolve to put relationships first. Here's what I mean: I have a tendency to put a lot of emphasis on "getting things done." (This may also be why I don't spend enough time playing video games.) There will ALWAYS be stuff to do. Not just chores, but also projects around the house...some necessary, some created by my own ambitions. Putting relationships first means never making anyone, especially my family, feel they're less important than the stuff to do. I can't completely ignore the stuff to do, but I don't have to put it first. As Sandra Dodd has said, you don't HAVE to do the dishes. They'll wait. You can also use paper plates, or (the greener option) have every eat right out of the pan... My best days aren't when I get the most done, so why do I look to have more of those days? My best days are when I strenghthen my relationships, so those are the days I'm going to have more often. No more excuses...
I'm sure I'll post more about this, but will try not to do it in the form of lame "resolution updates" like I did in 2009. Just look for evidence that I'm making progress. In the meantime, look for me on Xbox Live. My gamertag is RedwoodRocker...
