2013: Resolving to Redefine, Relax, and Reacquaint

I know, I know....the vast majority of people who make New Year's resolutions break them by February. However, I like making them, even if they're a re-do from last year.

So, here's my pitch for 2013: to take care of myself first. In fact, it's something we should all do.

It wasn't until recently that I realized that most people identified me as either being an editor or a mom. So, as my daughter's departure for Arizona to attend school there after graduation looms, friends fretted over what would become of me.

That was a wake-up call to me to redefine my priorities. I'm generally the person to leave a social gathering first or ignore them altogether. Call it a misplaced sense of virtue, but I realized I'm not doing my near-adult child any favors by hovering at home, and after all it's OK to be self-centered, in a good way.

Truthfully, we all could use a little 'me' time and don't have to constantly be the slave to so many masters. I'd even go so far as to say no permanent harm will come to the universe if we all took it easy on ourselves and relaxed every one in a while. It may make us more congenial, even when we're talking politics.

Call it a commitment to say 'yes' to more opportunities, and not just to more commitments. I'm worth it.

So I raise a glass to you, toast to the new year, and hope you join me in saying 'Here's to me.'

Happy New Year!