Commentary. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? I read somewhere recently that about 45% of us (adults in this country) make at least one resolution each year.
As you might expect, those resolutions more often than not deal with such feats as smoking cessation, weight loss and exercise.
Money management is another popular resolution. In these times, for many, reducing debt is not just an option, it is necessary.
Other popular resolutions focus on getting organized, spending more quality time with friends and family, and simply finding more enjoyment in life.
Making the resolution is the easy part – at least for those of us who admit to being flawed individuals. It is the journey to achievement that is so very difficult. Although, according to my own privately conducted survey, less than half of us will actually stick to our resolutions, it makes most of us feel good to draw out that roadmap to perfection. Many people believe making resolutions is a big waste of time. Why change something unless you are forced to change?
I am a list-maker and a goal-setter so the resolution thing makes a great deal of sense to me. Unfortunately, I am not very good at determining just exactly what my resolutions should be. Like almost everyone else I know, I’ve pledged to lose weight and exercise – both successfully and unsuccessfully, depending upon which year you are inquiring about.
All in all, I think New Year’s resolutions are a good idea. The only thing that would make New Year’s resolutions better would be if we could make them for other people. For example:
The public would resolve not to give celebrities and politicians so much attention for their trips to rehab and for their criminal and stupid behavior.
Television stations would resolve to keep the volume on the commercials they air at the same level as the programming they air.
Cell phone owners would resolve to keep their cell phones turned off or on “vibrate” when in a public place such as a restaurant, movie theatre or church.
Cell phone owners who communicate via text message would put down that silly phone long enough to actually make eye contact with the person with whom they are conversing face-to-face.
Cell phone owners who communicate via text message would stop texting at the dinner table, while driving and while in church. There is something inherently wrong with a person who sends text messages during the Sunday morning sermon.
Oil companies would resolve to lower fuel prices in 2011.
Everyone would resolve to say “please” and “thank you” and practice at least some very basic manners.
Everyone would laugh more frequently, work harder when necessary, and spend more time getting to know their neighbors.
Parents everywhere would stop letting their 6- and 7-year old children determine when, where and what to eat for dinner. The word is “no.” Learn to use it!
No matter what resolution you make – and potentially break in 2011 – I hope you will make an effort to call an old friend, take a walk with your granddaughter, and listen to the rain.
Latest: 
