HAPPY NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

“I am going to stay up till midnight!!” As a child, I remember saying that with an incredible sense of excitement. It was as if the stroke of midnight would bring something magical. After all, we had just celebrated Christmas with Santa so what was Baby New Year going to do to top it. Sadly, NOTHING. The family would fight sleep from 9 o’clock till 11 and then Grandma would set the table and make sure that everyone was still awake. Then the countdown as we watched the ball drop; HAPPY NEW YEAR! Guy Lombardo would play Auld Lang Syne as we kids snuck off to bed to avoid the pickled herring (the food guaranteed to bring you good luck if eaten at midnight).

Things really didn’t get better as an adult. In addition to avoiding the dreaded pickled herring, I was now expected to make the fearsome New Years Resolution! Those “promises” were usually made with my friend, Don, around 11:59 after we had consumed a half dozen vodka and tonics. Lose weight, stop smoking, exercise, eat organic! By January, 2^nd my sober mind was saying, “Just what the hell were you thinking?” Never once did I change a bad habit because of a New Year resolution!

However, this year will be different because my resolutions will be different. I looked back and realized that any promise I made that involved denying myself something just did not work. So, I examined what gave me real satisfaction in life and resolved to do more of it.

So, for 2018, I have resolved to do the following:

SAY THANK YOU

It is simple to do and makes a big difference. When you go to a Walmart, say thank you for doing a hard job to the clerk who is checking you out. You will be amazed at the smile and at how good you feel. Want to improve your relationship? Utter those two words to a spouse who has just washed your dirty skivvies or made the coffee. This is an easy resolution to keep because it makes me feel good.

BE AWARE

This one is a little tougher because it forces me to realize how truly blessed I am. I don’t know why I was born in the United States instead of winding up as child that had to forage in garbage dumps for food. I don’t know why I was blessed with a loving family or the ability to make a living. I need to be aware of what is good so that I might practice sincere gratitude by spreading the wealth. Only when we are aware can we be grateful, and only when we are grateful can we help others. The wonderful part of this is that it can be done in small ways. A few hours of volunteering, some spare change, a couple cans of soup given to a food bank; all of these can cause a ripple effect that has a major impact in a persons’ life.

TAKE ACTION

This is the toughest. Now that I have entered the year as a “new old fart” I realize how complacent we have been as a generation. I talk to others my age and they feel impotent to have an impact or have an attitude of “We will be dead by the time things get really bad.” That is why we are in the situation we are in now! We scramble to feel pleasure and forget the future. More people shop on Black Friday than exercise their right to vote! So my resolution is to become active in what I believe, to make my voice known to the lawmakers and to encourage my peers to do the same. In my last stage of life, I want to take back the power I gave up.

So, those are my 2018 plans; resolutions that are based on giving added purpose and meaning to my life. May your resolutions lead to a wonderful and purpose filled 2018. Choose wisely and have a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!