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Pauline Lerner

New Years resolutions recycled

January 4, 2007 at 8:15 AM


Last year I decided to make some new year’s resolutions that would be realistic, not idealistic, so I used phrases like “a little more” and “at least once.” I posted them in my blog on 1/1/06. Now I’m evaluating them and planning for 2007.

Go to bed before midnight at least once.
I did that once when I was very sick. Does that count?

Make long distance calls to my out-of-town friends more often.
Yes. Do it even more in 2007.

Learn more about bluegrass, early music, and jazz
Yes, no, no.

Practice my orchestra music more often and earlier than the night before rehearsal.
Yes. Keep it up.

Clean out at least one of my closets and throw out some of my junk
Fortunately, I used the phrase “at least once,” so the answer is yes.

Cut back my spending on nonessential items, i.e., stop buying sheet music and practice what I’ve already got.
I did buy some more sheet music, but my choices were very good ones. Now that I’m playing and jamming more folk/traditional music, I’d like to have The Portland Collection, but it is a set of two books that cost $25 each. Uh oh.

Eat just a little less junk food or, when this is not possible, as with ice cream, eat the low fat kind sometimes
Yes. Good marks! I almost always eat low fat ice cream. I even eat low fat cheese. How virtuous.

Practice yoga and exercise a little more often
Yes. Do it more often in 2007
.
Learn more folk and traditional music by playing along with CDs
Yes, yes. Lots of fun. Keep doing it in 2007.

Clean my home at least once when I’m not having friends over shortly
My teaching studio is in my home, and I clean that area semi-regularly. Does that count?

Watch some violin CDs
Yes. I especially like Art of Violin. I’ll watch it more in 2007.

Go for walks in a nearby park more often
Yes and no. I found some interesting paths in the woods around my home. One leads to a public park with a large gazebo of some kind that people rent for parties. I dropped by during a big party once, but nobody invited me to join them and eat their food. They didn’t even speak English. Another path leads to a well groomed and landscaped cemetery, suitable for quiet walks. I haven’t spent much time in the park I had in mind when I made this resolution. To do…

Learn some CSS
Ow! I tried, but I have not succeeded.

Go to museums or art galleries occasionally
Very occasionally. I’ll do more in 2007. I’ll also go to some of the memorials in Washington DC that I haven’t been to.

This year, I asked myself, “What else is there that will improve my quality of life that I can do easily?” The answer is “read more.” I’ve already started doing this. I combine it with my exercise resolution and read while I use the stationery bike. I convert dead time riding on the Metro to enjoyable time by reading a good book. This year, I resolve to set aside more time for reading and not feel guilty. It’s OK to enjoy myself instead of doing chores.

I like this a lot better than making noble, idealistic resolutions. I like the feeling of accomplishment I can get.

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Mark O'Connor Mark O'Connor's method books -- released this week -- teach students using many styles of American music. Enter to win a set of the books this week, on Violinist.com. Photo: Deanna Rose

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