New Year’s Eve & Three Resolutions

Photo: Amodiovalero Verde

I love the idea of New Year’s Eve, a time for merry-making, resolutions and white elephants.  Yes, white elephants.  Our hostess has asked her 16 guests to “bring a white elephant” for a grand exchange.  To start, we’ll each draw a number.  The holder of #1 will select a colorfully wrapped mystery gift and unwrap it for all to see.  The holder of #2 will have a choice:  take the gift from the holder of #1 or select another mystery gift.   Who knows which white elephant for one might prove to be a treasure or, at worst,  another white elephant?  One year, thanks to my husband’s cooperation, I came home with not one but two treasures:  guest towels and a set of mini-vases in desert colors.

For me, New Year’s resolutions, often hard to keep, are opportunities to make a determined effort to do something I feel is important.  This year, I’m making three:  I’m resolving to learn to speak Spanish, using Simon & Schuster’s Pimsleur method, 30 lessons on 16 audio CDs.  Why Spanish?  I live in New Mexico in the old Spanish village of Galisteo and although there are a lot of gringos in the ‘hood, I’d like to be able to converse with Hispanics in their native tongue.  This will be my third attempt to learn Spanish but the first time I’ve made it a New Year’s resolution.

My second resolution is to practice playing the piano regularly.  My goal?  Thirty minutes a day.

And my third?  To speak up for human rights, especially women’s.   On the subject of equality, I’m reading a compelling book about women and girls across the globe who inspired author Sally Armstrong to write UPRISING:  A New Age is Dawning for Every Mother’s Daughter.

Happy New Year!

Shirley Melis, Author of a memoir: "Banged-Up Heart: Dancing with Love and Loss"