So This Is Christmas And What Have You Done?

So this is Christmas / And what have you done / 

Another year over / And a new one just begun 

- "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon

Every year, for as long as I can remember, I have heard that song at Christmas. It came out in 1971, which means I have been hearing it annually for 40 years. (Did that fact make you feel old? Because typing it made me feel old.)

Political meanings aside that line, with its "what have you done?", makes me reflect on the past year. I'm sure I'm not recalling all my good moments, and probably imagining some regrets. And I always seem to end up wanting to have done more.

I'm not alone, if social media is any indication. Before the last piece of pie was eaten yesterday my Facebook friends were posting about resolutions. One new trend is picking a verb to describe your goals for 2013. I tried to use "Sedentary" but the grammar police told me it was an adjective. So I will pick, "Accomplish". 

As I said in my inaugural post, I am not great at the follow through. I also tend to make unrealistic to do lists. My commitment to this personal challenge and public announcement of it means I cannot fall back on bad habits. I will not be making a list of resolutions for 2013. While there are certainly things I hope to learn and do, my only resolution will be to accomplish all of my 45 acts of charity in my 45th year. 

Two posts ago I made a list of 20 countdown items to December 29th. The holidays have been busier than expected and I did not publish the list but I have kept up with it within a day or two. I am prepared for the kick off. I created a binder where all my challenge information is on hand so I do not lose track. And I have recruited several people and a few businesses that will be helping these charitable acts get done. So I have accomplished that much so far.

You will also have noticed my blog has a new theme. I learned that I would need letterhead to request donations so I decided to give my challenge a logo. Nothing fancy. But I accomplished it. 

I hope your holiday, whatever it was, was a good one. I also wish for you a 2013 filled with accomplishments.

And so this is Christmas / I hope you have fun /  

The near and the dear one /The old and the young