Hey, it's 2014...

So, this is the New Year.

There's a lot to say, but so much doesn't need to be spoken. Some things are better left unsaid, as the saying goes. As we enter a New Year and go through both reflection of the year's past and what lies ahead of us, there is much to think about.

Without getting all mushy and reflective on times gone by, here's my personal plan for 2014:

• I'm going to write more personal stuff here on The Corner Booth, as had been the case before mid-2012. It may be some personal diabetes stuff that's not all reporter-like and journalist-y, but it will be more the Coffee & Conversation that I'd once loved so much. Whatever the topic, it will be real and from the heart. Promise you that.

• On that note, I want to be more real in real life (as opposed to un-real life, since that's a thing.)

• Have more face-to-face conversations with people.... with friends, family and strangers.

• At the same time, I don't want to be out in front. Talking to talk annoys me more than anything, especially when everyone in a room is saying the same thing. Or repeating what's been said for years. Connecting dots behind the scenes is my place, and  that's where I can be both positive and critical to help things move where they need to.

• Some people live too far away to meet with and talk to, so Skype will become a more utilized tool in my world. Hey, friends in Australia - I'm talking to you!!!

• Random smiles and acts of kindness don't happen enough... that will be a more regular priority of mine.

• I need more isms and fun sayings in my life. And thanks to Grandpa, I'm going to start using "Eel as a hornet" as much as humanly possible. Starting with a Facebook post on Jan. 2.

• My health hasn't been as much a priority as it should have been, and so it will be from this moment forward.

• Just recently, I had to buy a new suit. Despite having several suit coats and sports jackets, none of the pants that go with them actually fit me anymore. That's not a good feeling, and I'm not a fan of having to continually wonder if my clothes still fit. So, getting back into better shape is an immediate priority -- even in the cold, wintery months.

• Hey, I have a dog (as everyone on Facebook and Twitter knows from all the photos)!... so, what a perfect excuse to get O-U-T-S-I-D-E more and get myself moving.

• I eat too much cheese. I'm going to do something about that.

• Hey, Church Family: It's been a while. I've missed you. But look forward to seeing and re-engaging with you all soon.

• That reminds me: I haven't talked to God enough lately. Hey, Lord - I'm looking forward to the chats, on bended knee, or otherwise.

• There's a crap-load of things to read online. But I have a local library and plan to use that more, allowing myself to find again that feeling of flipping actual pages of a book and experiencing the experience of reading.

• Choose Your Own Adventure Books.... I'm so going to buy some at half-priced books. Like tomorrow.

• Some people think they rule. They really don't. And being polite about it isn't always the best trick. So if you suck, please get ready for some criticism... But believe me, it's for your own good. Really.

• No, I don't rule. Most of the time, I don't know shit about anything. But someone does, and I like putting those people in touch and watching magic happen.

• My organizational skills have really not been polished much in the past year, so they will be now. Starting with the stacks of papers and mess of things in my home office that need to be organized and filed. 

(UPDATED: After reading Scott's comment below, I thought it was worth clarifying what I mean here in these last 2 bullet-points... Totally need to get out of the house more often. Like working from Starbucks or Panera Bread a couple times a week, like I used to. That's totally all I meant. Promise.)

•  Working from home is nice. But we all need to mix things up, and that's something that I need to do more as part of my routine.

•  It's OK to say No. (see also: Know your limitations)

These may be resolutions, or they may just be a checklist of items that are on my mind. Whatever you call them, they're on my mind and in my heart as we enter 2014.

Bring it. Let's get on with this.