My Elegant Four-Point Plan

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, because they encourage rebellion and feelings of failure. In November '06, however, I had a lot of ideas about how I wanted my life to change.

My FOUR-POINT PLAN for 2007:
LIGHTEN UP
LET GO
EMBRACE SURPRISES
COMMUNICATE MY NEEDS/ASK FOR HELP

This replaced my former agenda of
SAVE THE UNIVERSE
NEVER GIVE UP
STRIVE FOR PERFECTION
DO FOR OTHERS

This was followed by a budget (no more impulse buying, except with designated "mad money"), 10 goals, and a list of strategies for achieving said goals. No implementation date -- I started right away.

I have destroyed part of the paper record and am planning to destroy the rest, so I won't have anything to feel guilty about when I fail to produce a perfect performance on all points. It's clear to me which direction I want to go. Forget the GPS and navigational charts -- all I need is a compass.

It's been tough so far. I keep screaming that I want freedom, but I agonize when I have to make choices.

My elegant seven-point plan for 2008:
1. Take one day at a time.
2. Love myself so I can love others.
3. Trust my own judgement.
4. Believe in the future, but don't try to live there.
5. Avoid trying to change others.
6. Explore new avenues.
7. Learn to play.

I really want to publish one of my novels in 2008. But I'm afraid. What am I afraid of? Failure? Success? A fantasy-reality collision?