Most New Year Resolutions fail, as you said, and I would suggest that the main reason is not that they were about doing, nor that they were not SMART goals, but that they were not part of achieving a defined life vision. It's the vision that gives us the motivation to achieve our goals, whenever we set them.
The procrastinator in me never seems to get around to making New Year's Resolutions which is just as well....since I forget what I resolved to almost immediately when temptation shows its face! Happy New Year everyone. And fasten seat belts, put on your life vests...rough seas ahead.
Maybe your resolution should be to "Embrace your inner procrastinator"! About next year, the old Irish toast is right on the money: "May you live in interesting times!"
Mardy, I waited after reading your 24 "Best First Lines" to comment on them here. First, it must take exhaustive research to create such a list, and it is one of the most fun things I do each year as I read and savor each. Resolved: I will read some of the books on that lofty list as I cruise into my 86th year of living and 64 years of marriage. On Tuesday evening I'll write a new first line of my own for the new year, as we approach 2025.
When I was young I learned of the practice of making New Year Resolutions and did so because it appeared to me, highly suggestible as I am, that I was supposed to do that. It didn't take too many years for my resolutions to resemble Twain's explanation, that I was paving Hell with them, so I dropped the practice. Some years later it occurred to me that a one day declaration of some betterment would be better handled by staying awake and learning for 365 days each year. The smaller bites are easier for me.
Nevertheless, at your implied urging I will make a startlingly easy-to execute-resolution for this upcoming new year: to read your fine offerings first thing each Sunday morning.
I recently read something about time that struck me: that it is man's invention. (Einstein said, "Time is relative." I don't pretend to understand what that genius meant, but it seems to coincide with the fact that "time is man's invention." We had to make up clocks to make sense of our existence. As for resolutions for a new year, I'm already perfect, like Schultz's Lucy. :)
OMG. I am so far from perfect it floods my mind. I think my main resolve will be to adopt the "one mouth, two ears" maxim to improve my relationships with others. In my old age (afraid I'll run out of time to say it all?), I have become "The Mouth of the South" - and I'm sure people dread to see me coming.
Years ago, when I was still with Dickerson, there was a woman who lived in the same townhouse complex. She would start talking, which she did mostly with her eyes closed (!), and she simply would not stop. When one would try to politely walk away, she would actually follow, talking away. It was sad that she was so lonely, and I dread turning into such a creature.
What a sad story, Pat. I've seen the same thing occasionally over the years, and it always breaks my heart. I'm virtually certain, though, that it won't be happening to you!
"n the case of the Romans, though, resolutions were made in honor of Janus, the god of beginnings and endings (January is named after him)." Janus was a two headsed god --
one head facing forward and the other facing backwatds. Thus, in January we look
back to what the previous year gave and forward to what shall come.
Happy New Year to Dr,. Mardy & his legioms of fans.
I have never made New Year resolutions. Partly because I like to swim upstream from everyone else and partly because I'm honest enough to know they would never last. But I enjoy seeing how others handle theirs. :-)
Some wise words here. I've always liked the New Year holiday with its focus on the future. Making resolutions is one way to do that, and the advice to think more about voice and less about what is said may be a better way to actually accomplish change.
Mardy, while I've never trusted my resolve enough to make resolutions, I well understand that seeming instinct to regard a new year as some sort of opportunity to reconsider.
Especially enjoyed the comments this time. I am resolving to find healthy ways to deal with the turmoil of the next 4 years. Maybe a little more exercise, a little more walking, a little more meditation. Wishing you all as peaceful a new year as possible.
Hello my dear Barbara. Thanks for sharing your thoughts--a nice reminder that we don't formally need New Year's Resolutions to live healthier and happier lives.
So very much to comment on New Year Resolutions as you presented them! I'll try to keep it pithy.
First thought is that too much of Resolutions are about what we are going to do rather than what we are going to become.
Remember SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
Most New Year Resolutions fail, as you said, and I would suggest that the main reason is not that they were about doing, nor that they were not SMART goals, but that they were not part of achieving a defined life vision. It's the vision that gives us the motivation to achieve our goals, whenever we set them.
Thanks for your thoughtful analysis, Nick. I've always like that SMART concept!
I hope that you and yours all have a great 2025. Take care, Mardy, and thank you for a very enjoyable and instructive year. All the best, John.
Thanks for your kind words, John. It's been nice having you along for the ride. A Happy New Year to you as well.
Happy New Year and thank you for the joy every Sunday brings!
Thanks for the heartwarming words, Irene. A very Happy New Year to you as well.
I saw this from Amanda Gorman:
May this be the day
We come together.
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
Tethered by this year of yearning,
We are learning
That though we weren’t ready for this,
We have been readied by it.
We steadily vow that no matter
How we are weighed down,
We must always pave a way forward.
This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.
What was cursed, we will cure.
What was plagued, we will prove pure.
Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,
Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee,
Where we weren’t aware, we’re now awake;
Those moments we missed
Are now these moments we make,
The moments we meet,
And our hearts, once all together beaten,
Now all together beat.
Come, look up with kindness yet,
For even solace can be sourced from sorrow.
We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday,
But to take on tomorrow.
We heed this old spirit,
In a new day’s lyric,
In our hearts, we hear it:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
Be bold, sang Time this year,
Be bold, sang Time,
For when you honor yesterday,
Tomorrow ye will find.
Know what we’ve fought
Need not be forgot nor for none.
It defines us, binds us as one,
Come over, join this day just begun.
For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome.
Thanks, Stephen. A beautiful poem from a beautiful person.
As you might expect, this has been a very tough year for me. My resolution is to keep living and pushing on.
Thanks, my friend. You couldn't have forged a better one! My best to you.
The procrastinator in me never seems to get around to making New Year's Resolutions which is just as well....since I forget what I resolved to almost immediately when temptation shows its face! Happy New Year everyone. And fasten seat belts, put on your life vests...rough seas ahead.
Maybe your resolution should be to "Embrace your inner procrastinator"! About next year, the old Irish toast is right on the money: "May you live in interesting times!"
I will, I will............tomorrow, if I remember! XXXX
These days, I'm hoping for some of the good ol' boring days when I wasn't even interested in politics!!
Mardy, I waited after reading your 24 "Best First Lines" to comment on them here. First, it must take exhaustive research to create such a list, and it is one of the most fun things I do each year as I read and savor each. Resolved: I will read some of the books on that lofty list as I cruise into my 86th year of living and 64 years of marriage. On Tuesday evening I'll write a new first line of my own for the new year, as we approach 2025.
When I was young I learned of the practice of making New Year Resolutions and did so because it appeared to me, highly suggestible as I am, that I was supposed to do that. It didn't take too many years for my resolutions to resemble Twain's explanation, that I was paving Hell with them, so I dropped the practice. Some years later it occurred to me that a one day declaration of some betterment would be better handled by staying awake and learning for 365 days each year. The smaller bites are easier for me.
Nevertheless, at your implied urging I will make a startlingly easy-to execute-resolution for this upcoming new year: to read your fine offerings first thing each Sunday morning.
Thanks for doing what you do!
Thanks for your kind words and weighing in on the theme, Jack. What can I say? I totally support your resolution for the upcoming year!
I recently read something about time that struck me: that it is man's invention. (Einstein said, "Time is relative." I don't pretend to understand what that genius meant, but it seems to coincide with the fact that "time is man's invention." We had to make up clocks to make sense of our existence. As for resolutions for a new year, I'm already perfect, like Schultz's Lucy. :)
Thanks for weighing in, Pat. I thought I'd never meet a perfect person, but apparently I was wrong!
OMG. I am so far from perfect it floods my mind. I think my main resolve will be to adopt the "one mouth, two ears" maxim to improve my relationships with others. In my old age (afraid I'll run out of time to say it all?), I have become "The Mouth of the South" - and I'm sure people dread to see me coming.
And I'm pretty certain they do not!
Years ago, when I was still with Dickerson, there was a woman who lived in the same townhouse complex. She would start talking, which she did mostly with her eyes closed (!), and she simply would not stop. When one would try to politely walk away, she would actually follow, talking away. It was sad that she was so lonely, and I dread turning into such a creature.
What a sad story, Pat. I've seen the same thing occasionally over the years, and it always breaks my heart. I'm virtually certain, though, that it won't be happening to you!
I will, I will............tomorrow, if I remember! XXXX
"n the case of the Romans, though, resolutions were made in honor of Janus, the god of beginnings and endings (January is named after him)." Janus was a two headsed god --
one head facing forward and the other facing backwatds. Thus, in January we look
back to what the previous year gave and forward to what shall come.
Happy New Year to Dr,. Mardy & his legioms of fans.
Thanks, Louis. I probably should have mentioned his two-headedness in my post. A very Happy New Year to you as well.
I have never made New Year resolutions. Partly because I like to swim upstream from everyone else and partly because I'm honest enough to know they would never last. But I enjoy seeing how others handle theirs. :-)
Thanks for sharing your story, Julayne. I don't think I've ever met someone who's never made a New Year's Resolution!
Some wise words here. I've always liked the New Year holiday with its focus on the future. Making resolutions is one way to do that, and the advice to think more about voice and less about what is said may be a better way to actually accomplish change.
I think many people try to do too much with resolutions, and end up biting off more than they can chew so they spit it out and give up. Better I think to nibble. Try taking a new tack incrementally, rather than with a big jolt that might capsize your craft. A Wall Street Journal article advocates that approach: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/new-year-new-you-doesnt-work-heres-how-you-can-actually-improve-your-life-2075af4b?st=mL19qi&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, John. Now I'll check out the WSJ article.
Mardy, while I've never trusted my resolve enough to make resolutions, I well understand that seeming instinct to regard a new year as some sort of opportunity to reconsider.
Yes, it's almost instinctual, I think.
Especially enjoyed the comments this time. I am resolving to find healthy ways to deal with the turmoil of the next 4 years. Maybe a little more exercise, a little more walking, a little more meditation. Wishing you all as peaceful a new year as possible.
Hello my dear Barbara. Thanks for sharing your thoughts--a nice reminder that we don't formally need New Year's Resolutions to live healthier and happier lives.
Thank you for all the wisdom you provide in each post, and happy new year!
I
Thanks for your heartwarming words, Gabi. They mean a lot to me.