By the third week of January, I knew I was doomed. Like many, with the start of a new year, I made a New Year's resolution. I wanted to eat better, take a better care of my body and sleep and exercise more. They seemed like doable goals. But as the days of January passed, they turned out to be harder to achieve than I thought.
My goal of eating better went out the window after my second New Year's party. I ate entirely too much food. I was having a great time chatting with friends, laughing and making conversation. I ate with joy and drank with glee. The next morning, when I felt slightly bloated and uncomfortable from a bit too much extravagance, I knew I had busted my resolution. The sad part is, it was the second time I had overindulged. The first time was at the first New Year's party I attended. But I gave myself a do-over. It was New Year's, right?
To go along with busting my eating better goal were my goals of taking care of my body and sleeping more. The two New Year's parties I mentioned lasted until about 2 or 3am. I barely slept and felt exhausted the next morning. To remedy my fatigue, I skipped breakfast and downed two cups of coffee sweetened with sugar. So much for good eating habits. Also, since the New Year, I think I have worked nearly every weekend. Guess I'm not so great at taking care of my body and getting more sleep.
As for my last goal, to get some exercise, I am not doing so hot either. Late last year, I decided to go back to school to advance my education. Since enrolling, I've had to study and do homework (the first time in 20-odd years). There wasn't much time for exercise. I have golfed maybe once for work. Besides that, I haven't exercised much.
It feels too soon to evaluate New Year's resolution failures in the beginning of February, but still, I'm a bit ashamed of my bad start. In 2013, my daughter made a resolution to get fitter. In the same year, she trained and completed the US Air Force Marathon and the Bangkok Marathon. That's 42km, twice, with decent times. I told her she probably got that steadfast determination and commitment from me. But the way I am starting 2014, I'm beginning to doubt my words.
I thought about my New Year's resolutions. I have had similar goals for the past several years. Some years I promise to eat less chocolate and sweets or drink less soda. All the resolutions have the same trend moderation and limiting excess. I am aware of the age-old wisdom of moderation. You know, drink wine, but only in moderation. Drink milk, eat beef, eat fish, only in moderation. Everyone has heard the same advice. But it makes me wonder if there are things in life that can be enjoyed in excess?
At first examination, it seems like most things in life function like yin and yang. I love cake, but if I eat too much, I will expand into a blimp. Then I would have to buy all new clothes. So I eat cake, but not too much, a piece here, a bit there. I also love wine. But if I drink too much, I get drunk. Then I get a headache. I don't like headaches, so I try to drink wine only in moderation, a glass here, a sip there.
Unlike cake and wine, I've found that there are things I can enjoy in excess that don't cost me a thing. At the second New Year's party, one of my friends told a very funny story. I laughed so hard for so long that my sides and face hurt. I had so much fun that I didn't want the party to end.
Thinking back to the party, there was nothing negative about laughing and smiling too much. So I would like to make a minor caveat to my little discovery. I believe that excessive laughing and having a good time is great, as long as it doesn't come at the detriment of others. Having fun is wonderful, and there is nothing wrong with feeling like you are having too much of it just as long as the source of that fun is not a destructive one.
So as Chinese New Year passed, I made new resolutions. Thankful for my Chinese blood, which gave me a second chance to redeem myself, I amended my New Year's resolutions in honour of the Lunar New Year. I will enjoy more of what life has to offer. I will go on more outings with friends, have the most fun, and laugh entirely too much. I will fill my heart with happiness and I will love my family more than I ever have before.
Yes, these revamped resolutions will most likely have a negative effect on my waistline and wallet. But I don't view these things as obstacles to my resolutions, but as a case-by-case situation that will have to be managed. I feel better about my new resolutions. For the first time in several years, my focus is no longer the deprivation of a diet or the monotony of exercise, but more happiness, more laughter and definitely more fun. I am excited for 2014. I am calling January a wash and starting anew in February.
So far, the Year of the Horse is looking good. Would have looked golden if the Chinese good luck could also bring some peace to current politics.
Prapai Kraisornkovit is the editor of the Life section of the Bangkok Post.