#slmm

Hello Fanmily-

This last year has seen some pretty significant changes for a great number of us.

Some of us had a wonderfully productive year. Some of us struggled in an almost endless battle with ourselves and others. Some of us didn't make it out the other side. *Respect-pause.*

We all know that sometimes we argue and fight over unintelligent things, or things we have little say in. We (almost all) know better.

We judge people when we could support them. We ignore people when we could hold them close. We slander people when we could address an issue directly (and be satisfied with agreeing to disagree). We act like the world is against us, avoid truth and the possibility of being a decent human instead of giving everyone new we meet a fair chance. We're apathetic when we could be active.

We make excuses when we could just get it done.

I dislike resolutions.

Resolutions are a traditional way of pressuring yourself to start over. Resolutions make you feel that these last 364 1/4 days we just lived were a practice run. They weren't. You lived them with no reset and you will never get a new start by the calendar date changing.

If you do not choose to begin a major change because YOU want it, you will more than likely apply apathy to your efforts about two weeks into your venture; you will have been destined to fail, regardless of a calendar. (Resolutions have an upside, though; they are a sign that part of you wants to be a better person in some way, whether with health or relationships and there is nothing wrong with wanting that for yourself.)

I know a lot of you know this: a lot of us hurt. A lot of us are ill, physically or mentally. A lot of us are alone. Many of us are alike. So, why are we fighting without solutions to our problems? Aren't we a Fanmily? We were supposed to be.

I challenge you: don't lie about trying to be better. Tell people you're a jerk when you're a jerk. Tell people you're hurting when you're in pain. Tell people you can't help them like they want you to. Tell people you care about them.

Change when YOU are ready.

For the start of the new year I have made a fool proof resolution: I will not make any resolutions...other than that one.

Every year there are thousands, nay, millions, of resolutions which are never fully kept. Everyone starts the new year with a promise that is essentially doomed? No, you don't need to.

It is important you learn who you are. It is important to have support. It is important to love and be loved. This is what a Fanmily is for; we join together with a common like and make dear friends in the process. It would be sad to see it fall apart.

I have found people in the Fanmily who are very dear to me. I have found people to care about who care about me. This is what I feel is the most important part of my loving SPG. So, when you approach today with whatever good or bad or neutral feelings you have, please remember to spread the love; we talk about it, but we have not been acting on it...and that's the most important part.