Apathy and Resolutions

Hobbes: How are you doing on your New Year's resolutions?
Calvin: I didn't make any. See, in order to improve oneself, one must have some idea of what's "good". That implies certain values. But as we all know, values are relative. Every system of belief is equally valid and we need to tolerate diversity. Virtue isn't "better" than vice. It's just different.
Hobbes: I don't know if I can tolerate that much tolerance.
Calvin: I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.

Like Calvin, I haven't made any resolutions this year. Of course, my excuse isn't as creative as his. Mine mostly falls into the category of things-I-don't-feel-like-doing-this-very-moment¹. I'm suffering from a nasty case of apathy, but I'm hoping I can rid myself of it with a little writing right now.

I blame most of my apathy on the awful weather we've been experiencing, especially this past week. I love the rain, but the heavy downpour, high winds, flooded roads and power outages sapped my enthusiasm and dampened my usual affection for precipitation. It didn't help that I felt the greatest urge to be outside last week, but couldn't (except on Wednesday) due to the wet weather.

I'm sure that a few sunny days will lift my spirits. If the sun stays out for more than two days, giving the trails a few hours to dry, I hope to venture out to one of the local parks and just hike through the mud to my heart's content. Books and DVDs are wonderful when one is satisfied or inclined to stay indoors, but they are hardly sufficient when one feels cooped up and desires cold fresh air and wide open spaces.

Perhaps one of my resolutions this year will be to explore and learn more about the local county and state parks. Another resolution might be to volunteer at nearby park. Henry Coe State Park is a possibility. Those two resolutions, if I were officially to make them resolutions, would be relatively easy to accomplish.

Potential resolutions that would be more difficult to achieve would include being more organized, establishing a healthier weekly routine and following through. As an (alleged) adult, I shouldn't have to make such resolutions, but also as an "adult", I can't ignore the fact that those are areas that need improvement.

Of course, one of my other possible resolutions would be to maintain a good sense of humor. This would require (amongst other activities) watching plenty of television comedies. I think watching a full hour of Scrubs tonight would be an excellent start.

Hypothetically, I could tie that resolution in with the more difficult resolutions. To be more organized, I could pencil in my daily planner what shows I'll be watching every week. A scheduled hour of laughs on Tuesday and Thursday nights would be a solid step towards a healthier weekly routine. And to help me follow through, I could reward myself with a cup of hot chocolate on the condition that I sit through the entire hour.

What do you know? I just made myself smile and I have a nifty draft list of resolutions. To top it off, I think the apathy is lifting. Now, if only the gray clouds would lift, today might just have a chance to be a great day.

¹ Other items in this category include eating stir-fried worms, hitting my thumb with a ball peen hammer and waxing my eyebrows.