It hasn’t been easy lately, but I’m trying to dig myself out of this funk I’ve been in lately that has suppressed most of my energy and all of my creativity.  My funk has been self-induced and, although I’ve been telling myself that its only effect has been on me, the truth is that I’ve rubbed off on the people around me.  Unfortunately.  So, here we are on February 3 and my New Year’s Resolutions are on my mind everyday.

The most notable thing to share is that I’ve decided, as part of my resolution to volunteer more, to take my children once  a month to do some kind of good deed that will help people less fortunate than us.  Coming up with these good deeds is another story.  Because, honestly, a bystander watching me try to go out in public with an eight year old, a three year old, and a temperamental one and half year old in the name of service probably thinks of himself as MUCH more fortunate than I am and to go home and do us all a favor.

But the Super Benevolent Dictator WILL NOT be dissuaded by naysayers.  The BD laughs at them!

And at herself, as she tried to wrangle three kids, three bags of food, and a hot cup of coffee (some of which ended up on her sweater) through the doors of a local food bank.  Where there didn’t seem to be any people.  Where there did seem to be an abundance of massive shelves filled with massive Costco sized quantities.  Where my three little bags of food filled with normal boxes of pasta and hot chocolate were dwarfed by 8759 ounce sized jars of mayonnaise.

I think my three beasts were more disappointed by not actually getting to hand over their bags that they dragged from the car to, you know, the less fortunate themselves.

But, it was our first try and, all things considered, it went well.  The beasts got a taste of the idea that life is more than happy meal toys and playdates.  Next month, we’ll try again.  These days, especially, it’s good to remember how much we have and that we’re better off taking care of our neighbors.