Looking forward to the New Year

As I sat on my couch Thursday, staring at my Christmas tree, I had one thought in mind: “That thing’s got to come down.”

As much as I love Christmas, it’s passed. And every year on Dec. 26, I get itchy with the desire to pack up all the Christmas decorations and put them back into the attic until next November. What was a thing of beauty just a few days ago is now old hat and it’s got to go. On to the next thing.

What’s next? Why 2014, of course.

I’m a sucker for dates. I’m not sure why, but I remember dates. Holidays especially. I will remember this Christmas for years to come. Just like last Christmas and the ones before that. New Years? I remember exactly where I was, what I did and with who for New Years dating back 20 years. But even regular dates. I have a good memory for certain things. I guess that’s good. Maybe. Maybe not.

So Jan. 1, 2014 is a mere five days away. I have no idea what it will hold. But I plan to make it memorable. Just as I plan to make all of 2014 memorable. Of course, 2013 was memorable in its own right. Some good. Some not so good. And, frankly, there are things I forgot as soon as they happened — like what I had for dinner on any given day.

Why is it that I can remember Super Bowl XXV stats but can’t remember what I had for lunch. Heck, some days, I can’t remember if I ate lunch. At least when my daughters are home, I can ask them: “Hey, kids, did I eat today?” Usually the answer is “No, dad.”

So in 2014, I’m going to try to remember to eat. And maybe even try to remember what I eat. That’s a good goal, right?

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never been one to make resolutions for the New Year. But I actually have some this year. For one, I resolve to get out of my comfort zone. I’ve been complacent and lazy in certain aspects of my life. No more. I’m going to get out of the house and remind the world what’s so great about Scott Leffler. Or maybe I’ll let them remind me. Probably the latter.

Last year in the column leading up to New Year’s Eve, I mentioned that I had lost a lot of weight. This year I gained some of it back. But I’m going to take it back off again. That’s not a resolution specific to 2014. I joined the YMCA in October and have been enjoying my regular visits.

I resolve to keep writing. I’ve always thought of myself as a writer, but I’m going to actually be one next year. It’s what I’m going to do with my down time. And by the end of 2014, I’m going to have a novel published. I said it here. Keep me to it.

I turn 40 next year. Kind of a big deal. I look back and have little to show for it save for two incredibly awesome daughters. That’s going to change. The year 2013 was the year of complacency. Next year is going to be the year of progress.

I’ll let you know next December how it went.

Scott Leffler is a dreamer. But he’s not the only one. Follow him on Twitter @scottleffler.

Anything is possible with a new year

Happy New Year.

It seems crazy to think that it’s 2013 already. It was just 1997 a couple weeks ago it seems. But then life moved into hyper drive and suddenly … bam! 2013.

As much as I want to think it’s still 1997 sometimes, I’m constantly reminded that I’m getting older. Some examples: I hurt my back a week ago — putting on my shoes. And I wrecked my knee on Sunday — sledding with my family.

Yep, I’m definitely not getting younger, that’s for sure. Of course, to be fair, I distinctly remember being rather accident prone in 1997, too — when I nearly cut my finger off with a spatula.

I don’t make resolutions for New Year’s. As my oldest put it the other day (she was born in 1997, by the way), if you want to improve something about your life, why wait until the first of the year to do it?

But we’re fascinated by calendars. Just ask all those people who stood on rooftops on Dec. 21 waiting for the world to end. And I’ve been drawn to dates for a long time. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is an easy one to remember. I remember where I was, with who and what was said, even. Mostly good memories, but not all.

I’m hoping that 2013 is filled with good memories. Last year was kind of a mixed bag. I did some things right and I screwed some things up in a manner that only myself and Clark W. Griswold are capable of. Look kids! Big Ben. Parliament.

It seems that at the end of every calendar year, we have a tendency to look back and smile at the things we did right. And plan to do better next year with the things we did wrong. Just like we did in 2011. And 2010. And 2009. Etc. Ad nauseum.

Who knows though. Maybe this is the year I win the lottery. If so, I should probably start buying tickets. Maybe that could be my resolution: to waste more money buying lottery tickets. Sounds like poor planning to me, though.

Maybe this is the year the Bills make the playoffs. Maybe this year the NHL will decide they actually want to play some hockey. Maybe this year … anything is possible.

That’s what’s so interesting about changing the calendar from December to January. Anything is possible.

Scott Leffler is an optimist and a dreamer. He shares his hopes on Twitter @scottleffler.