No more Excuses

New year presents opportunity to try something you've always wanted to do

Let’s face it: The beginning of the new year is as much about breaking resolutions as making them, as much about excuses as goals.

So, this year, why not pick one way to better yourself and stick to it? Heck, it might even be something fun.

Here is a list of self-improvement ideas for the new year – some practical, others a little more zany – and tips for getting involved in them.

Maybe one of them finishes this sentence for you this year: “I’ve always wanted to (fill in the blank), but I never knew how to go about it.”

Learn to play a musical instrument

Thom Alexander, director, Americana Music Academy, 1419 Mass.

How to get started: Take at least a few lessons in the beginning. The academy offers information on classes at www.americana-music.org.

“Some people are motivated to learn on their own,” he says. “Unless you have someone give you a road map in the beginning, it’s a little harder.”

What to try: Alexander suggests the guitar, mandolin, banjo or ukulele for beginners.

Why it’s easy: “It’s something people can do quickly. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can buy a cheap guitar or ukulele and be up and running in a month or two, or maybe even less if you’re motivated to practice.”

Why it’s a good resolution: “It’s really good for your brain. It’s also good physical therapy for your arms and hands. And it’s something you can do with your friends for fun.”

Learn to cook

Susan Krumm, Douglas County extension agent for family and consumer sciences

How to get started: Buy a simple cookbook, perhaps one by Better Homes and Gardens or Betty Crocker. Or take a class, such as those offered by the Douglas County Extension Office (www.oznet.ksu.edu/douglas) or the Community Mercantile (www.communitymercantile.com).

What to try: Krumm suggests planning out simple meals in advance. If you’re struggling for ideas, try looking at a menu from a school cafeteria or a senior center.

“We always recommend they put time into just one of the food items they’re making,” she says. “If they’re taking quite a bit of time with a protein dish, open up frozen vegetables or canned fruit.”

Why it’s easy: Statistics show those who cook dinner spend an average of 17 minutes preparing the food. And it’s pretty easy on the pocketbook, too – eating out can get expensive.

Why it’s a good resolution: Put simply, it’s healthy.

“The thing we’ve always talked about in the past is focusing the meal around the protein, and making sure we have a balance between the grains and fruits and vegetables and dairy. You can balance it out and plan the meals out according to that.”

Learn to dance

Jorge Ortiz, president, Kansas University Ballroom Dance Club

How to start: Take lessons. The Ballroom Dance Club offers lessons (cost is $25/semester) from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays at the Kansas Union, and others are being scheduled. Lawrence Parks and Recreation also offers dance lessons.

What to try: Ortiz says the most popular dance to try is the salsa. He suggests learning swing because you’re more likely to be in a situation where you’re hearing swing music.

“Trying to learn all dances at once initially can do wonders for learning,” he says.

Why it’s easy: “You don’t need to know how to dance to learn how to dance. This is one block that most people have. I never danced a single step before I joined the Ballroom Dance Club.”

Why it’s a good resolution: “New Year’s resolutions tend to sound similar to, ‘This year, I’ll do anything possible to enjoy each single day.’ It’s a wonder to me why people overlook dancing, when it is the true expression of joy.”

Read more

Lynn Koenig, adult services coordinator, Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

How to start: “First, I would suggest talking to one of our reference librarians – the staff is very knowledgeable and can make great suggestions for something to read based on a person’s interests. If a person comes in who just wants to browse, we have a new bookshelf that can suggest a good read.”

What to try: Koenig says graphic novels are a fairly new genre growing in popularity. Or browse a list of popular books – either The New York Times best-sellers (the list is posted at the library’s reference area), a list of award-winners or the list of most requested books the library. They’re available at www.lawrence.lib.ks.us.

Why it’s easy: There’s a book out there to interested anyone.

“The most important thing is to read something that interests the reader,” Koenig says. “And if a person starts a book and doesn’t get hooked, they can always come back and get something new.”

Why it’s a good resolution: “It helps us to learn and understand the world around us. Secondly, I feel that it helps us to expand our horizons and appreciate all cultures. Most importantly, reading can be fun – it’s a way to escape from our hectic lives, even if it is just for a little while.”

Explore Kansas

Marci Penner, author, “The Kansas Guidebook for Explorers,” and director of the Kansas Explorers Club

How to start: Pick up a book about the state, or go to the Kansas Sampler Festival, which will be May 5-6 in Garden City. Or just hit the road and see what happens, and look for visitor information centers.

What to try: Penner suggests picking a particular interest – bakeries, a particular type of architecture, truss bridges, etc. – and visiting towns in search of that particular interest.

“One of our explorers is driving 25 miles of backroads in every county,” she says. “Another is buying fabric in every county.”

Why it’s easy: You don’t have to go far to do it. There are plenty of places to explore in and around Lawrence.

“One of my favorite places in the state was the Haskell campus, especially the Cultural Center,” Penner says. “Leavenworth is full of history – the city and the fort. Atchison is another great stop.”

Why it’s a good resolution: “Exploring is all about the journey. Not only will you learn about yourself if you employ explorer principles, but you’ll also make a difference in small towns by spending money in locally owned shops, visiting with locals in the cafe or museum and simply by showing interest.”

RESOURCES FOR OTHER NEW PROJECTS

Here are some more things to try this new year – and resources for making them a reality:

¢ Learn to make art: The Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., offers classes in a variety of arts for both children and adults, www.lawrenceartscenter.com, 843-2787.

¢ Start flying: Hetrick Air Services offers flight instruction at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, www.hetrickairservices.com, 842-0000.

¢ Attend lectures at Kansas University: A variety of nationally and internationally known scholars make presentations at KU each semester. A schedule can be found at www.calendar.ku.edu.

¢ Learn to write: Various organizations and individuals offer writing workshops throughout the year. One is Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, who will have a writing workshop along with singer/songwriter Kelley Hunt in May in Council Grove, www.bravevoice.com.

¢ Join a hobby group: There are dozens of Lawrence groups dedicated to special interests, ranging from mushrooms to British cars. Find a list under the “City Scene” section of www.ljworld.com.

¢ Watch old movies: The Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt., has dozens of classic movies available for free check-out.

¢ Learn to brew beer: The Lawrence Brewers Guild meets monthly to talk about their craft, www.lawrencebrewers.org.

¢ Learn to knit: Knit Lawrence meets regularly to knit and teach newcomers, www.knitlawrence.org.

¢ Learn to garden: The Douglas County Extension Office offers classes to help develop your green thumb, www.oznet.ksu.edu/douglas, 843-7058.

¢ Learn a new language: Lawrence Parks & Recreation offers language classes. French is new this year, www.lprd.org.

¢ Try a new sport: Lawrence Parks & Recreation offers instruction in a variety of athletic endeavors, www.lprd.org.

¢ Volunteer: The Roger Hill Volunteer Center always has plenty of opportunities for volunteer needs in Lawrence, www.rhvc.org.

¢ Learn CPR: Douglas County Red Cross offers CPR training, http://douglascountyks.redcross.org.

¢ Go skydiving: Several companies in the area offer skydiving, for a fee. One of the closest is Skydive Kansas in Osage City, www.skydivekansas.com.