I'm not much for making resolutions, but this is a good time to take stock of the past year and think about some of the things I am grateful for.

Being alive.
Being in good health.
Amazing real-life friends.
Some pretty swell online friends.
Having a family that loves me, even when they annoy me.
I finally started reading again in 2004.
Living in a nice apartment.
Having just about enough money to keep this nice roof over my head, plus a tiny bit left over to contribute to some causes I believe in.
A stable job. (No, not a job IN a stable. Stay focused, people.)
Intelligent and companionable work colleagues.
Membership at a gym with a swimming pool.
The ability to go swimming pretty much any time I want.
A car that runs.
A beach chair with which to reserve my shoveled parking spot when I leave.
(Just kidding on that last one.)
(I use a stove to reserve my spot instead.)
(Still kidding.)
Netflix membership.
Holiday mint chocolate KitKats.
My sweet calico kitty cat.
My eMac.
DSL.
A DVD player.
The continued ability to laugh at myself and take myself only just so seriously.
The ability to see beauty and wonder in the world around me.
The ability to find humor in difficult situations.
Compassion for the difficulties in my own and other people's lives.
Pride in my accomplishments and those of the people I care about.

In 2000, I was so unhappy that I wondered if I would live to see 2005. Today, I only wonder WHAT I will see and experience in 2005. May 2005 be a year of exploration, passion, learning, wonder, joy, and fulfillment for all of us. Happy New Year to each of my blogalicious friends!