It’s 2013. We’re still here. The world’s still here. We made it.

There’s something magical about a new year. It’s like a brand new start, and you have this urge to come up with a Fresh Start List. You know, things you want to do and things you want to do better and things you want to stop doing altogether. Yes, those New Year’s Resolutions.

Beginning a new year reminds me of going to a spa. The old year might leave you feeling a little run down at the heels (especially after a New Year’s Eve party), but after the massage, manicure, pedicure, and facial, you feel brand new, ready to take on the world, or in this case, the new year, with your list in hand.

These resolutions are promises we make to ourselves. Like not smoking anymore or losing weight or exercising more. My gym is always packed the first week of January. The second week, not so much. The third week ….

What’s that? You mean we might not keep our resolutions? Yes? No? You’re on the honor system.

While going through one of my journals, I found my resolutions from 2005:

1. Pay off Visa.
2. Focus on writing, golf, going to the gym
3. Keep active in four groups: Desert Literary Society, Desert Film Society, a book group, and a golf group.
4. Home improvements to do: an entertainment center, a front gate.
5. Mend a broken relationship in the family.
6. Work on computer skills.

I managed to accomplish numbers one, two, three, and six. Number 5 sort of. Number 4 was a complete bust. I sure did focus on “stuff” and activities.

But life changes. I seldom play golf, so I don’t belong to the golf group anymore. I’m no longer in the Desert Film Society. The house improvements were completed eventually, but not in 2005.

As I look at this list, I find it interesting what my priorities were.

We like to make other lists, too. There’s the Bucket List. On this list are things we want to experience before it’s too late. Things that would make us feel “alive.” Like sky diving, a hot air balloon ride, a visit to every continent. Going on a safari.

Remember Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson in the film by the same name? In it, Morgan Freeman says, “Find the joy in your life.” M-m-m-m. I’d like to ride along in an “Indy 500” car. Or fly with the Blue Angels.

Then there’s the daily “To Do List.” My list for today: pay the bills, take down all the Christmas decorations and put them on the dining room table to be packed up for another year, work on my blog, go to the post office, and pick up a piece of pottery I want. So far today, I’ve accomplished three.

Not to be ignored is the shopping list. Mine is ongoing. I look in the cupboards, in the refrigerator, check the non-food stuff, the personal stuff. Jot everything down. Then off to Ralph’s, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walgreen’s or CVS I go. Sometimes I’m efficient. Sometimes not.

What is it about these lists? Do they renew us? Help us tackle challenges? Do they keep us organized? Make us more productive? Help our memories? Do they make us feel we’re in control of something? As we change, do they help us deal with change? Do they help break habits? Make new ones? The answer to all these questions for me is Yes.

New Year’s Resolutions in particular seem to have a special purpose in helping us reassess and evaluate our lives. To decide what’s important.

My resolutions for 2013 are brief. There’s been a shift in priorities.

1. Be kind.
2. Go for a daily walk.
3. Be an interesting wife and companion.
4. Enjoy my friends and family and their talents.
5. Do my fiction writing before I check the social media sites.
6. Laugh.

Wishing you the best.