Reflections and Resolutions

We are officially one week into the year 2009, and so far - to me at least - it looks a lot like 2008. I am not really one to make resolutions, which I will not remember, or to reflect on things which I hope to forget. I generally don't even remember that the change is occuring, and have always been the kid who says, "Huh? Where are you going?" when people tell me in late December that they'll see me next year.

Lately I am feeling as though I am in the minority. My sister has started Weight Watchers, which is odd given that she's 20, in a relationship, and not overweight. Nike emailed an offer for help "setting your resolutions." TNG reader Adam submitted a list of year end reflections, which you can read in full beyond the fold.

I guess I am hesitant to look at the new year as a change because I feel like I am in the middle of everything. I'm in the middle of my last semester at Georgetown, the middle of securing my job for next year and planning a move, and the middle of experiencing life as an openly gay guy. Maybe I am just not good at putting any kind of pauses into life. So instead I am going to live vicariously through the reflections and resolutions of others - that is, if you have any to share. Post them in the comments, or email us at submit@thenewgay.net if you'd like to share it more thoroughly.

TNG reader Adam's list of things learned / solidified:

1) Nothing is final. Everything can change.
2) People can surprise you and be more than you ever expect them to be.
3) People can surprise you and be less than you ever expect them to be.
4) The impact you make on someone's life can be minimal or immeasurable, but you always make an impact.
5) I traveled to tons of places this year without my Dad's flight passes but by the graces of my wonderful friends.
6) Working for something is so much more satisfying then having it handed to you.
7) Money can make you a selfish, evil, bitch.
8) You can miss people you never thought you would.
9) Friendships are hard to let go but sometimes necessary.
10) Everything is relative, compared to something better or worse.
11) Gingers can be hot (See #10).
12) People can't help who they are attracted to. ("He's not what I imagined him to be.")
13) Selfish people usually take career paths that exhibit such.
14) Selfless people usually take career paths that exhibit such.
15) Most things that I want are unhealthy for me.
16) Faith should not be wasted on those who have not earned it or have abused it. Neither should Love.
17) Self-esteem comes from yourself.
18) The weirdest things make me happy.
19) The weirdest people make me happy.
20) People are who they date.
21) We deserve everything we get out of a relationship. The longer we let it happen, the more we deserve, good or bad.
22) Women are people too.
23) Moving on is hard. Knowing when to move on is harder.
24) People falling down is funny to me. Children and old people falling are funnier.
25) My foreign friends are more interesting than my American friends.
26) Judging people doesn't make you feel better about yourself.
27) Heroes is still a good show (See #10).
28) I have no ugly friends (except that one guy......oh and her.....).
29) Some people are just "Gay". Nothing more, nothing less. Their life is "Gay". They have no personality, or life or dreams besides being "Gay". And that's sad.
30) Bitchassness is at an all time high.
31) So is Assholeness.
33) My friends are some of the best and worst people in the world. And I couldn't survive without them.
34) Not many people dance at parties anymore.
35) Life is full of contradictions no matter how consistent we want it to be. As is this list.