Stephanie Pedersen: Learning to be more thankful

Sometimes the holidays are rough.

You start thinking about all of the goals you made for the year that you didn't accomplish. You remember you wanted to be kinder, gentler with your kids. That often didn't happen.

You remember that you wanted to save more money and prepare to sell your house. That didn't happen.

You remember that you wanted to achieve certain fitness goals. Some of that happened, but not all of it.

You remember that you wanted to be more spontaneous. That definitely didn't happen.

The holidays, for me, can be a reminder of the things I didn't do right this year. If I'm honest with myself, most of the time, I'm a true pessimist. I see what's wrong before I see what's right.

This year has been a little different.

The fire I covered a week ago and the children I wrote my last column about stayed with me through the holidays.

As my kids went through their stash from Santa, I was proud and thankful I was able to provide. In the past, I would have felt somewhat ashamed I couldn't or refused to get them X-Y-Z.

It's human to compare your situation to others that are wealthier and live more glamorous lives. We often don't compare ourselves to people who have less.

We want to compare ourselves to people who appear to have no problems. We think life would be so much easier if we had Jennifer Anniston's body, Kim Kardashian's job (or lack thereof) and Beyonce's money.

We don't see how much more we have than others.

But those kids and those families affected by the fire taught me something this year. I didn't compare my situation to theirs. I simply was more grateful for what I have.

My goals for 2016 include most of the same ones I had in 2015.

Be kinder, gentler with my kids.

Save more money.

Eat healthier.

Work out more.

Be more spontaneous.

Be more thankful.

When I read these goals, they aren't ones that can easily be quantified. That's something my boss would ask me about performance evaluations.

Are these goals quantifiable?

Not really. But at the end of 2016, I can be honest with myself and will know if I really achieved them.

As for goals that can be checked off the list? Here they are:

1. Finish either a Spartan race or half marathon.

2. Continue my soft drink ban.

3. Travel to a state or country I've never been to before.

Sounds easy enough, right?

I guess we'll find out next year.

So happy new year to all of you. May you better realize your blessings, understand the goals you missed in 2015 and have better plans to achieve the resolutions you make for 2016.

I once read it's better to write down your goals, so here goes.

Stephanie Pedersen, senior editor, at spedersen@ledger-enquirer.com.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 11:04 PM with the headline "Stephanie Pedersen: Learning to be more thankful ."