Ways to improve your life in 2009: Be a better role model

Wow, another New Year already. I'm still working on my 2008 resolutions. I guess I'll just carry them over. I believe unused resolutions are still good and can be carried over.

Isn't it funny how the days drag by and the years fly by..

I really did not think I had to many bad habits until I saw my kids doing them. They can be the littlest of habits but when you see your kid doing them you quickly correct them and make them stop. Its just hard to tell them that it's wrong when they see daddy doing it.

My first step I would take to being a better role model is watching my diet. I know I'm far from being horizontally challenged but it wouldn't hurt me to lose a pound or two. Just think how easy dieting would be if food did not taste so good. Instead of dieting I'm going to practice moderation.

I'll admit I usually eat until I'm past full every meal. Its usually about that third helping when I start to fill up. Luckily the wife has taught the kids about eating right and they haven't picked up this habit yet. It could only be a matter of time though. When you think about all the hours you spend together has a family at the dinner table sooner or later they will want to come over to dad's side of the table.

Sometimes we get so busy trying to get what we want we forget what we have..

It seems like in today's hectic lifestyle we are always so busy with work, planning out tomorrows agenda, running kids here meeting people there we just don't get to enjoy today. Family vacations are planned out months in advance. Family vacations are great and I look forward to them. I just feel the kids remember and enjoy our time together in between the vacations more.

Here's my plan

• Instead of worrying about if we make it to Disneyland this year, I'm going to work on getting home early so I can help make snacks for the little princess dress up tea party.
• When I get home instead of grabbing a seat on the couch and complaining about how tired I am, I'm going to grab my baseball glove and have the boy show me how he throws that curve.
• It seems like I always have time for a few of my t.v shows every night. Maybe it's time to start playing a few of my favorite board games.
• Instead of that Saturday afternoon dvd we will go one that nature hike.
• Just going to enjoy today with them and not worry about tomorrow.

Sometimes in life if we keep our eyes, ears and minds open the littlest thing can inspire us to change.

We all see the world different and a lot of times we spend so much time telling everybody how we see it, we never get a chance to hear how they see it. When someone is talking I'm going to listen to what their saying and visualize it through their eyes instead of listening for a chance to jump in and tell them how I see it.

there's so much more to love then just saying I love you..

You ever noticed how excited your dog is to see you when you get home. It makes you feel good. He doesn't want anything really besides a pat on the head. He's just happy to see you. I wonder why we don't treat the ones we love with this kind of enthusiasm?

I learned a lot from watching Fido. He could be out in the backyard or in the neighbor's garbage but once he sees me pull up he stops whatever he's doing and comes running. He just drops everything and for those few minutes I'm all that maters.

I guess my plan to improve my life in 2009 is actually going to be easier then I thought. I'm usually in the dog house with the wife anyways, now all I got to do is be more like Fido.