New Year's Resolution Suggestions

Sometimes, I wonder about how the U.S. government spends it time. When I went on the web to find lists of popular New Year’s resolutions the top site that popped up was our federal government.  I am not sure whether they need to know this information, but I figured their info should be accurate.  You probably won’t be surprised at this dozen:
  

·       Drink less alcohol

·       Get a better education

·       Get a better job

·       Get fit

·       Lose weight

·       Manage debt

·       Manage stress

·       Quit smoking now

·       Reduce, reuse, and recycle

·       Save money

·       Take a trip

·       Volunteer to help others

An article in the Huffington Post stated “New Year’s resolutions are bit like babies: They’re fun to make but extremely difficult to maintain.”   When I read advice about New Year’s resolutions the advisors always advise us to be sure to set attainable goals.  That list is daunting, and I am not so sure that any of the resolutions listed are easily attainable.  So, I offer you some alternative resolutions.  Jay Leno has created the most attainable goal I have seen.

“Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people.  So overweight people are now average, which means you’ve met your New Year’s resolution.”  

     ~ Jay Leno (American Comedian, 1950- )

     The pundits tell us we need to have a plan for when we fall down on keeping our resolutions.  When asked “What does a monk do all day?” Thomas Merton replied, “We fall down and we get up, we fall down and we get up, we fall down and we get up.”  That’s a lot of falling down and getting up, and I don’t think most of us want to become monks.  It might help if you include a way to cut yourself some slack in your plan.  Catherine O’Hara has an approach that may help.

 “I know. I'm lazy. But I made myself a New Year’s resolution that I would write myself something really special, which means I have 'til December, right?”  

     ~ Catherine O’Hara (Canadian comedienne, 1954 - )

     We might also look at it from Helen Fielding’s point of view.

“I do think New Year’s resolutions can’t technically be expected to begin on New Year’s Day, don’t you?  Since, because it’s an extension of New Year’s Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system.  Also dieting of New Year’s Day isn’t a good idea as you can’t eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover.  I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second.”

     ~ Helen Fielding (English Writer, 1958- )

     We also need to consider other people when we make resolutions.  You might want to make these resolutions:

 “…tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.”  

     ~ James Agate (British Diarist and Critic, 1877-1947)

“I have no way of knowing how people really feel, but the vast majority of those I meet couldn't be nicer. Every once in a while someone barks at me. My New Year's resolution is not to bark back.” 

     ~ Tucker Carlson (American News Correspondent, 1969- )

 “One resolution I have made, and try always to keep is this: “To rise above little things.” 

     ~ John Burroughs (American Essayist , 1837-1921)

     When all else fails you could consider G.K. Chesterton’s thought and Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions.

 “The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.  It is that we should have a new soul…”

     ~ G.K. Chesterton (English Philosopher , 1874-1936)

 “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

     ~ Jonathan Edwards (Theologian, 1703-1753)

Happy New Year’s resolving