2012 New Year’s Resolutions: Part VII
Part VII of our 2012 New Year’s Resolutions brings us a list of the top five must-dos for Brigitte McQueen, founder of The Union for Contemporary Art, which is a local nonprofit that is “committed to strengthening the creative culture of the greater Omaha area by providing direct support to artists and advancing the understanding of contemporary art forms through education,” according to its mission. In the recent past, McQueen has held positions such as curator at the Bemis Underground and has also run her own commercial art gallery.
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I have a definite love/hate relationship with New Year’s Resolutions. Each New Year’s Eve, I sit down and craft this amazing list of thing’s I plan to accomplish in the next 365 days… only to find that I’ve done next to nothing by the time summer rolls around. But not this year! No friends, this year I refuse to look back in shame on my lack of determination and willpower! Why? Because publically posting your resolutions for the masses to see is a HUGE incentive to actually make them happen. So, here are my Top Five Resolutions for 2012:
1) To Follow Through on My New Year’s Resolutions
No more utter failure by February 1st!
2) Going Meatless (for the Most Part)
My top resolution for 2012 is to only eat meat, poultry and eggs that are locally sourced and feed lot free. This has probably been a goal of mine for the past few years… but my dedication is usually trumped the first time anyone mentions making a trip to Jim’s Rib Haven. This year, I’m determined to make it happen, which means being a vegetarian unless I’m cooking at home or eating at the handful of spots in Omaha that share my commitment to sourcing their meat locally. It’s good for our farmers, the environment, and me… which make it kind of a no brainer! That said, if you catch me hiding in Stella’s parking lot, pretending that bacon cheeseburger isn’t mine — feel free to call me out!
3) Going Green(er)
When it comes to living a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly life, I’d like to think I’ve got the big things down: I recycle, don’t use plastic bags, keep my thermostat down and have switched to florescent lighting. My goal for this year is to focus on the next steps, smaller things I can do to reduce my environmental impact. This includes (among a slew of other things): composting everything I can, ditching petroleum-based products, saving rainwater, riding the bus/bike more often and growing/preserving more of my food.
4) Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is
Managing a nonprofit has truly driven home the fact that just saying you support a cause isn’t nearly enough. This year, I plan to be more financially supportive of organizations and causes that are near and dear to me. This means making more donations, supporting via membership and volunteering my time and becoming much more politically active.
5) Crossing the Pond
I’ve traveled all over the nation — but it pains me to admit that I have never been to Europe. Nope. Never. This year I am SO committed to making this happen. I’m horrible at taking vacations… but I will squeeze one in this year and make a trip to abroad before the end of the year.
