I don’t do resolutions, as it seems that the mere act of putting them on paper or speaking them out loud guarantees that I won’t be doing them, at least not that year. But everyone’s year-in-review entries have had me thinking for the past couple of days about my own 2006.

And you know, it was a really good one. I’m not even going to go back and see if I had actual concrete goals, but it’s clear that I’m better than I was when I started. I don’t need to pick one day and make all of my life changes at once; I’m perfectly happy making small changes throughout the year.

Considering that I was still heart-broken last year, I’d have to say that getting over that has been my biggest accomplishment. I’m fine now, when only a couple of years ago, I doubted that I would ever be fine again. I’m not the same as I was before all of that mess, and I carry the scars still, but I’m once again happy with who I am, and that’s huge.

I didn’t make a vow, or really, even a decision, but sometime during 2006 I realized that I want to do things. I want to get out there and try new stuff; I want to meet new people and add new pages to my story. And I sure as hell did that. I lived, especially the last six months or so, as hard as I’ve ever lived, and I enjoyed the hell out of doing it. Would I have bagged a trophy bear if I hadn’t been out there hunting every weekend? Nope, and they guys who didn’t go that often are still kicking themselves over that. Would I have wrecked my trailer? Well, probably not, not on my one deer hunt of the year, but I sure did get my money’s worth out of that thing this year, and it’s all come out all right in the end.

I bought that camera that I’ve wanted for years, and I’ve begun the transition of using it as much as possible, and I got some really outstanding photos with it. And had a great time doing it, and infected my son with the bug as well, all of which are much, much better than having an expensive piece of equipment sit on a shelf because you’re too afraid to take it anywhere good.

I didn’t quite quit drinking, but that wasn’t my intention. I did cut back a lot, lost a little weight doing it, and feel pretty damn good about that too. Of course, my alcohol bill hasn’t really dropped, as I figure that if I’m only going to drink a little and only on weekends, it might as well be the good stuff. This is how I discovered bourbon last month. Bourbon rocks!

I did, however, take a pretty significant break from dating, and I think that was also very good for me. I got tired of the stress: stress from finding someone to date, stress once you’re dating someone, and stress when you’re not any more. I calmed down about the whole thing, and think that now I may be ready to tackle it again, in a very laid-back sort of way. And if I don’t, who cares? I’m busy as hell with my doing new things project.

So, here’s to 2007 being more of the same. I’d like to enjoy it. Bring it on!