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New year is time for new start
Notes from an almost-military spouse
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With 2009 officially rung in, many of us are turning our attention to the dreaded “r” word — resolutions. That’s right, it’s New Year’s resolution time again. When it comes to making resolutions, people tend to fall into one of three general categories: those who’ve tried making resolutions, failed, and then decided not to make them anymore. Those who have never made resolutions. And then there are those who put in a good effort for several weeks each year to lose weight, quit smoking or save more money, and give up altogether by February (the vast majority).
I’m one of those people who’s never made resolutions. After I realized a long time ago that the vast majority of resolution makers fail, I decided not to waste my time and effort setting goals for myself that I would most likely not achieve. Sure, there’s probably someone out there who falls into that elusive fourth category of people who have actually made good on their promises to exercise more and read more books, but to be perfectly honest, I haven’t met any of them.  
But, my outlook for this year is going to change.  Yes, I’m going to overcome my cynicism about New Year’s resolutions and make some of my own this year.  And I’m really going to keep them (I promise).  
To make things easier on myself, I’m going to make them as specific as possible. Resolving to eat two vegetables every day, for example, is a much more manageable goal than simply aiming to eat healthier. So in the spirit of positive change, I’d like to share with you my New Year’s resolutions for 2009:
1. To keep my inner bridezilla under wraps as I plan my wedding. This means not throwing my purse at the lady at the print shop if she suggests changing the font on my invitations.
2. Accepting that my fiancé might have different ideas than I do about what constitutes a good duty station. This means not laughing if he suggests that I enter a surf contest if we ever get sent to Hawaii.
3. To actually use the file folder organizers I bought so that my desk will be less messy.
4. To not use so many acronyms in conversations with my non-military friends. If they have to ask me to slow down and speak English, that’s probably a good indication I’m overdoing it.
5.  And last but not least, to hit the gym on post for at least 30 minutes, five days a week. If being surrounded by ultra-fit Army Rangers while you exercise isn’t a good motivator to get moving, I don’t know what is.

Gotler is the fiance of a soldier formerly assigned to Hunter Army Airfield. She and her fiance now reside in the Fort Benning/Columbus area.

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