Happy New Year! ”Godt Nytår” is Danish for “Happy New Year” but whenever I say it it just comes out like “Good Noodle!” My Danish New Year’s companions obligingly thought that hilarious and shouted it gleefully. (which reminded me of Hyperbole and a Half)
The tradition in Denmark is that you stand very quietly on top of chairs or other high surfaces and when the clock strikes midnight you jump into the new year. I really like that idea and it got me thinking on the way I hope this year will go. My record is abysmal with overly-specific resolutions like eating leafy greens 3 times a week or learning how to do a cartwheel, both of which made past lists. This year, I really only have one:
1. vibe positive: keep a cool head whenever possible, relax and take a deep breath, smile (or fake it until it’s real), and have a good laugh in the end.
Why only this?
Being a whiny, cantankerous boob toward other people has never been productive for me. While traveling especially there are so many opportunities to interact with people whom I don’t know and probably will never meet again. Why make them see me as yet another pissy snit when I can re-funnel my energy into more productive things? Every time I curse under my breath (loads with the bags I’m lugging) or give things and people the stinkeye, I am detracting from people’s (probably) only opportunity to interact with the real me. Stress, panic, anger, and frustration can be great things if channeled properly and by no means would I ever deny myself the right to the full flavor of a good ol’ tantrum when the time is right, but the aim is to maintain a cool head and a positive projection:
I am a basically good person who is worth talking to whatever the situation may be.
It’s cool to have a few spikes here and there, but I’d rather not look like I’m going to bite everyone’s head off all the time. Plus, that way people take me seriously when I have a legitimate reason to be a fire-breathing hellcat.
How about you? Any new resolutions?
So you’re going to roll yourself in a ball when threatened? And eat earthworms? Sounds like a complete lifestyle change to me.