Another year has come and gone, so that can only mean one thing.

It is time to make New Year’s Resolutions.

In the past, I have made a Top 10 list to outline my goals for the year. In fact, last year I even recapped what I had resolved to do in 2010 before diving into my 2011 resolutions.

Not this year, though. I’m going to try to keep things simple (which actually ties to one of my resolutions as you’ll see in a bit). I’m not going to prattle on and on about all the things that have occurred in my life this year. If you want to read up on that, check out The Morgue for 2011.

So, let’s get to the resolutions.

2012 New Year’s Resolutions

+ Finish Master’s Degree, Teaching License Work & Be A Better Teacher +

By the middle of May, I will be a certified teacher. I will have my master’s degree. I will be done with my education. Finally. Again. Of course, before I can celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief at having my degree and teaching license, I have to get through the spring semester. As I’ve mentioned numerous times, I am in the Transition To Teaching program at Fort Hays State University. It has been great for me. It has allowed me to teach the subject I love (journalism) while I earn my teaching license.

I am looking forward to completing it so I can focus on my students more and my own homework less because I want to become a better teacher. I want to always strive to be better. I want to impart more knowledge about my subject area to my students, implement more technology and expand my scope of practice.

+ Streamline & Organize My Life +

I spent a chunk of the holiday break from teaching going through belongings in my former bedroom at my parents’ house. I made a sizable dent, but there is still more to sort through. It was during this I realized my life was weighed down with clutter.

For 2012, I am resolving to change that. I am going to halt my pack-rat ways and begin to discard the items I don’t truly need. I have a habit of keeping items, such as paperwork and documents, because I think they will come in handy later on. From now on, though, I am going to change that.

In the coming days, I am going to tear through my bedroom here in Arnold, Kan., and throw out stuff I don’t need. If it is something I think I might actually use — not just hope to use — I will scan it and save it to my computer.

Also, I’m going to get rid of clothes I no longer use that hold no sentimental value. In fact, I have already taken action on this. I sorted out four trash bags full of clothes. I took the items that were still in good shape to Goodwill.

As for the stuff in my former bedroom at my parents’ house, I will continue to sort through it whenever I am home.

The only items I won’t be able to get rid of just yet — at both my current and former home — are books. I can’t just let them go. I love books.

Also, I’m going to continue a practice I started recently. I make a daily to-do list. This keeps me focused and on track. My productivity has increased, and I don’t forget to do things. I will continue to do this.

+ Keep Reading +

I’ve been keeping my 2010 New Year’s Resolution to read more, and I’m not going to stop now. Like I said, I love books. I keep track of all that I read on the “Reading List” page of this blog and on Good Reads. After this year, this will no longer be a resolution. I figure after three years, it is just what I do, not a resolution.

+ Write Next Novel +

Keeping with the theme of loving books, I wrote one. It is titled “Murder at St. Alfanus,” and I am very proud of it. Numerous people have purchased and read the book. I have been getting good feedback, and many people have told me they are anxiously awaiting the next novel.

Therefore, I plan to write my follow-up novel this year.

And I will continue to promote “Murder at St. Alfnaus” as much as possible. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, click one of the links I have posted in this section.

+ Georgical +

This is a new venture. My friend Cort Anderson and I are going to start writing books about small towns. This venture is in its infancy. Stay tuned for more information.

+ Be Giving & Be Happy +

I want to be more giving of my time and money, and I want to do more things that make me happy, such as write, teach, watch movies, read and be around family and friends.

To be more giving, I am going to give money to the Les Anderson Fund for Students at the Wichita State University Foundation, named after an influential professor in my time at WSU who died this past year.

Also, as I mentioned earlier when I said I gave clothes to Goodwill, I’m going to give things that no longer serve a purpose to me to those who need it.

I’m going to continue to do community service via the Sons of the American Legion, the American Legion Riders, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Ransom City and Nevada Township Fire Department and the American Legion Boys State of Kansas.

I think being more giving will help me feel happier about life. I like the warm feeling I get when I do it. Combining this with doing things I love to do will make my life even more enjoyable than it already is.

+ Closing +

So, I think it is going to be a great year for me. There is a lot of exciting things on my horizon, and I can’t wait to share them all with you.

Thanks for being a reader of this blog, and I hope you continue to read throughout 2012.

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