I've never been one for making New Year's resolutions. #1 I'm terrible at sticking to them, and #2 I struggle coming up with any in the first place. It's not that I don't have goals and aspirations for myself (I do?), but always end up drawing a blank on January 1st when the time comes to write down fully-formed, succinct sentences that encompass my plans for a whole calendar year. Daunting and overwhelming, it feels like a losing battle from the get-go.
That said, I do like the spirit of resolutions--the idea of a fresh start; a clean slate. The commencement of a new year offers the chance to re-asses, re-evaluate, re-examine where you are (that's a lot of "re-" words); figure out what's working or not working in your life and resolve to make any changes. As cheesy is it sounds, that little number 1 in front of the month at the beginning of a new year serves as a quiet reminder to check in with your inner-most self and make sure you're living the life you want to be living and are meant to. Cliche, but true. Isn't that why it's called a cliche?
With that in mind, upon stumbling across this little "4-Step Guide to Discovering Who You're Meant To Be" quiz from Ms. Oprah Winfrey, I thought
No making a list of resolutions? Easy, basic questions to answer off the top of my head? The results of which will instantly reveal my true calling that's been hiding under my nose all this time? Perfect!
Not so fast, sister. Upon finishing filling in the questions, you're then supposed to go around the loop comparing the first answer to the second and choosing one over the other for which is more appealing to you (repeating this exercise around the entire loop four times, with the winning answer each time becoming your "top passions"). This part seemed a little hokey and far-fetched, and consequently lost my interest after a few times around the loop... So maybe I didn't actually finish the quiz, but what the heck, I still think simply going through the process of answering the questions themselves is a healthy exercise to get in touch with yourself. Admittedly, the exercise was harder than I anticipated. But in a good way. Try it. At the very least, you'll get a kick out of the answers that pop into your head first, and you never know, you could come to the miraculous conclusion that you are in fact meant to be a wildly famous and world-renowned jazz club singer crooning to adoring fans from atop a shiny baby grand piano. Wait, that's not everyone's dream too?
Here are my answers....
1. When I was a kid, I dreamed of:
Being a veterinarian. I think. I don't remember having a strong opinion on what I wanted to be when I grew up.
2. I can’t pass up a book or movie about:
Romance or Adventure
3. If I played hooky from work for a week, I’d spend the
time:
One of two things. Traveling. Or, at the other end of the
spectrum, puttering around the house relaxing, catching up on things that have
been put off but need to get done, running errands, baking, etc. In general getting
things in order because of
hectic work/life schedule.
4. Most people don’t know this about me, but I really enjoy:
Baking from scratch.
5. I am the go-to person when my friends need help with:
Hmm, this is a tough one, I don’t think of myself as the
“go-to” person for something in particular. Maybe for help with planning an event?
6. If I could star in my own how-to TV show, it would be
about:
Fashion or Cooking/Baking. Or both!
7. If I were to make a homemade gift, it would involve:
Photos/scrap booking
8. I’ve tried it only once or twice, but I really enjoy:
Photography (obviously not the iPhone variety, but true photography with shutter speeds and the late afternoon light and even dark rooms)
9. The closest I come to a runner’s high is when I’m:
…Running? That’s actually not true, I’ve never understood that
whole “runner’s high” thing when it comes to actual running. After about 3 miles
in, I’m pooped and ready to quit – I never seem to be able to reach the “runner’s high” plateau everyone talks about. But, I digress. My answer to this
question would probably be either the euphoria of stepping off-stage after
having performed in front of a live audience (last time was in high school/college plays and musicals) or the physical endorphins-high of adrenaline after a great workout where I feel on top of the world and ready to take on anything.
10. If I won first prize in a talent show, it would be for:
Singing, I suppose. Not sure what other talents I am that great at that I would
win a talent contest for.
Want to try it out for yourself? Take the test
here.
Whatever life brings in 2013, whether big or small, I look forward to embracing it all with joy and laughter. Plus, if things start going south, at least I know I have that career as a jazz nightclub singer to fall back on.
2013 - let's do this!
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