I know there are many people out there who roll their eyes at New Year's Resolutions.
To them I say... in the words of the Coronel Potter on MASH,
HORSE PUCKEY!!!
The general narrative is,
"They don't work."
"New Year's is just like any other day, why do you decide NOW to make a change?"
"Why do you need a resolution? Why not just do it?"
Someone actually posted on Facebook, "Has anyone ever seen a New Year's Resolution work?"
COME ON PEOPLE... think about it.
1. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN DELIBERATELY CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR YOU ARE DOOMED TO WHO YOU ARE TODAY FOREVER... MAYBE.
If that is all you need. Cheers! Rock on! But, be careful... because the world is changing around you. And, you may not know everything yet. I would argue professionally, if you not evolving - whatever position you have right now - you will likely NOT be able to hold over time. And, I would argue personally, if you are not evolving - you are decaying... You are missing out on the greatest feeling in life... to learn, to improve, to be truly proud of yourself!
2. WHAT IS YOUR BEEF WITH NEW YEARS & WITH PEOPLE TRYING?
Yes New Years is just one more day, but its the day you get to open up a whole new bag of 365 days. If that inspires you to try to be better... why do you have a beef? If for you it means nothing, cool - rock on! But why be the downer on someone else's motivation? All around me people have stopped smoking, started working out, started walking up the stairs, etc. GOOD ON YOU MATES! AMEN! TRY, TRY, TRY to move yourself to the next level of wellness, effectiveness, happiness... WHY WOULD WE WANT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT FOR HUMAN BEINGS?
Oh... and then there is the real watch out...
3. "YEAH, THEY'VE STOPPED SMOKING FOR NOW, BUT THEY WILL BE BACK SMOKING IN TWO WEEKS & THE GYMS WILL BE EMPTY". MAYBE YOU BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED (OR OTHERS HAVE FAILED IN THE PAST) WE WILL ALL FAIL AGAIN!
You know - YOU ARE RIGHT. We will ALL FAIL AGAIN! But you know what? WE WILL ALSO SUCCEED!!! GRIT - that thing everyone is talking about is about NOT giving up. It took me nearly 30 years to get a handle on my weight, and I am still trying, but eventually 3 years ago... one of the attempts stuck - and I FEEL AMAZING!!! I have greater peace of mind in many aspects of my life because of behaviors I have STOPPED by trying over and over to modify.
IF BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED IN THE PAST, you choose not to try in the future... you are COOKED. See point number 1! If your past defines you - what fun is there in your future?
RESOLUTIONS matter because they are one more way that human beings can attempt to push themselves and to try again...
IF they aren't for you... cool... ROCK ON!
But be a voice for possibility in the world around you.
Encourage those you love and those you know to try and try again at the things that matter.
BELIEVE with them that they can succeed.
And, know that they may fail.
It's called LIFE.
But be careful giving up on resolutions... 'cause it's one STEP toward giving up on hope...
which is the same staircase as giving up on happiness...
Every step can be for harmony...
Even if you tripped on the last one.
I miss Hawkeye and Major Hot Lips... Maybe my resolution should be to watch some MASH again?
STEP LIVELY for harmony and have a great day!
Nestor