Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Resolutions, the Cowboys and a birthday, oh my!

 *The following is from my weekly column, published in The Red River Sun newspaper.

   My New Year's resolution is simple. I will not make any New Year's resolutions! Personally, I cannot think of a more stressful way to begin a new year than to stare at a list of things I need to do.
   Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things I would like to do or would like to improve about myself in the coming year. If I begin writing them all down, I could be here a while.
   However, writing them down as "must accomplish" tasks will only set me up for failure. Chances are, I won't keep them all, if any. Who needs that kind of disappointment!
   Instead of resolutions, I've decided to use all 365 days to become a better me…one day at a time.
   If I drop a bad habit along the way, forgive, forget, exercise more, stress less, and love more, I'm sure I'll be quite pleased with the outcome come December 31, 2016.
   As you face the dawning of a new year, face it with enthusiasm and excitement! Staring down a new year is like an artist looking at a blank canvas. It's up to each one of us to create something wonderful. 
   In thinking about the new year ahead, I'm always reminded of a quote from the movie, Forrest Gump. "Don't you just love New Years? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance."
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   In September, my hopes of seeing the Dallas Cowboys make it to their first Super Bowl since 1995 came crashing down when Tony Romo broke his collar bone.
   At that point, I began just hoping for a playoff appearance.
   My hopes came back in force when they defeated the Redskins 19-16 on Monday night football on the leg of Dan "The Man" Bailey. Someone needs to tell Jerry Jones to give Bailey a huge raise!          When your kicker is your MVP, you might need some reorganization!
   After the next week's 28-7 loss to the Packers, I still held on to a tiny bit of hope…a small glimmer…a miracle…anything that would get them to the playoffs!
   I've come to realize I might need to get another hobby. I get more wound up watching the Cowboys play than I do on press day around The Sun office, which by the way can be pretty crazy!
   Maybe I should make one resolution…to stop watching NFL football. Yeah, that one would only last until the first game played in the new year. Not gonna happen!
   I'll continue to live by the mantra, "Next year is their year!" and one day hope to see "The Boys" win another Super Bowl. I hope they appreciate my loyalty!
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   Where has time gone? On Saturday, my youngest will celebrate her 19th birthday! I've watched her grow into a determined young lady who has a huge heart for little kids. There is no doubt in my mind she will be an amazing kindergarten teacher one day. She has filled our lives with so much joy, pride and laughter.
   Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Madie girl! Love you big!

Ginger Wilson is the Childress editor of The Red River Sun and can be reached by emailing ginger@blackburnmediagroup.com or you can follow her on Twitter @gingwilson