New Resolutions?

I'm not usually one for New Years Resolutions, but this year I decided I needed to inspire myself. There are many things that come to mind when people share their Resolutions - mostly annoyance since I never ask, they just feel free to tell. However recently a coworker went an entire year without chocolate. I think I could go maybe a month, and that's being generous. How could he deny himself the sweet goodness and versatility of chocolate? It seems to me that most resolutions are about denial, not really change.

Some want to lose weight, so they deny themselves certain foods. Some people want to quit smoking, so obviously they deny themselves cigarettes. I'm in a frame of mind where I figure I deny myself enough, so if I was going to be resolute about anything, what should it be?

I had always bragged about how much I liked to be open and try new things - different books, foods, activities and people. But I realized that over the last few years that hasn't been the case. I can't pinpoint the exact moment I stopped being that ambitious but if I needed to change anything, it would be that. So after some reflection (mostly during Jersey Shore commercials) I had a plan. My 2011 resolution goes something like this: being the giant bookworm that I am, I will pick a book each month that I wouldn't normally read. I will write about my feelings on this book, if it affects me in any way and how it affects me. Then I will act on how I was inspired. Example: I read a book about a grandmother that knitted chastity belts for new-to-the-convent nuns. I am inspired and learn to knit.

I'm not sure how this will pan out, only that I'm determined to complete it. So, if you have time to kill, hang on for the ride. Also? Please have some patience as I'm sure whatever I post here will be sporadic at best. Thanks.