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Another new year, another year of making goals – some folks call them resolutions – that I most likely won’t reach.
Sometimes, I don’t even try very hard.
But that’s why I call them goals. The definition of a goal: the end toward which effort is directed. The definition of resolution: a firm decision to do or not to do something.
Let’s go over some of the more common resolutions.
Lose weight. I’ll never make that a goal. I may make a goal to eat more healthy foods, to eat less fried foods, or help us all, to drink more beer … but I’d never have a goal to lose more weight.
Quit social media. Oh boy, that’s a big one. It’s one that I’d like to make, but know I would fail miserably. The most content people around us are the ones who don’t play those online games; unlike those who have an opinion on everything that pops up and think you’re an idiot if you don’t agree with them. Here’s a secret: most people don’t really care what any of you think. I’ve learned not to use an online opinion to gauge someone’s worth as a friend. If I said what was on my mind every time I came up with a thought, I would have been run out of the county long ago. Heck, I would have run myself out of the county a long time ago. A better goal: always be kind on social media. Some – no, many – of you would have to quit.
But back to the resolutions and goals.
Some people vow to quit drinking alcoholic beverages for the new year. Good for them, I’m sure their bodies and pocketbooks will appreciate it. That one is definitely a better goal than resolution.
Exercise more. That’s a goal I make every year, and sometimes reach, I think. In reality, it probably stays about the same, but while exercising, I think I’m reaching a goal. The key is to find an exercise you like; it should never be a chore. I once was a runner, and the hardest step every time was that first one out the door. I’m sure it’s the same with other forms of exercise. There’s always an excuse not to do it; throw those to the side and make yourself fell better.
Stop gossiping. I don’t need for that to be a goal; I already try not to make judgments about other people, and even if I do, to keep them to myself. I don’t know how their day has been. I don’t know their pains, physical and mental. So I shouldn’t make a judgment about them. My wish would be for more people to follow this one; talking junk about others doesn’t make you right or smarter, it makes you no fun to be around.
Save more money. Another tough one, especially for those of us in businesses where raises just don’t happen and deductions from your pay continue to happen at higher rates. I’ll stop here, because of the next goal.
Quit complaining. Enough said.
See the good in people. Similar to not gossping, there’s something good in most people. Look for it. Embrace it. I like that goal, it’s even resolution worthy.
Drink more water. Some of us pay more for water to drink than we do for gas to power our vehicles. And yet we complain (See above goal.) about the gas prices, but pay for water twice (See another above goal) when it’s on tap but we insist to drink it from a plastic bottle.
Read more books. We all should make that a goal. There are books of all sizes and about all subjects, so there’s something for everyone. Read them before the book police take them away. Those “police” work for the man, but the “man’s” opinions of what is and isn’t appropriate can change with every election. Read ‘em now.
Text less, talk more. In other words, have a real conversation with someone. I could never make this a resolution. My brain and mouth don’t work together very well. I think better through my fingers. A goal? Maybe. A resolution? Never. But we all should listen to understand, rather than to reply.
Quit posting food shots on social media. That’s an easy one for me; I don’t do it. I don’t care whether other people like what I’m eating or not; and I have no desire to make them wish they were with me or whatever reason it is that people find it necessary to do this. To everyone who does this, make it a resolution to quit. Your food is no better than man.
Clean out your closet. This shouldn’t be a goal or resolution, it’s just something you should to from time to time. Not a decade goes by when I don’t accomplish this one. I should post that on social media.
Use less plastic. This should be a resolution for us all, no explanation needed (See above goal about drinking water).
Turn off the news, turn on the music. Instead of feeling dread about our future, feel uplifted. Make it a goal. Billy Strings works for me.
Be less political. I don’t need that one, because I’m as middle-of-the-road as they come; but many of you do. A definition of politics: “competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government).” You have power and leadership over your own life, leave ours alone. That goes both ways. We’re not as different as our political parties would like us to believe. Why? Read that definition of politics again.
Quit using the word “I.” During a conversation with a local politician, I once counted the number of times they used the word “I.” I lost count at 17, and they were talking about county accomplishments. For me, this is a tough one. I’ve (There “I” go again) used it a kazillion times in this column alone. But here, it’s used to identify my lame-brain opinions, not to take credit from something I was only part of. A better goal or resolution is for all politicians to refrain as much as possible from using that one-letter word.
Pay it forward. This is another one that shouldn’t be a goal or a resolution, it should be something we just do. If you’re blessed, bless someone else. A little kindness goes a long way, and it may catch on. Just don’t call it a virus, or someone who hasn’t followed any of the above resolutions and goals will say it was manufactured by our enemies and spread about the land by politicians spurred on by pundits on social media; or is it pundits who spur on the politicians?
Refuse to act your age. That’s not really a goal or resolution, but more of a way of life. If you’re immature, grow up. If you’re stodgy (dull and uninspired), do something silly.
Party like it’s 1976. Okay, that one is personnel, and it’s neither a goal or resolution. The only thing I’m doing like I did in 1976 is letting my hair grow longer. That party stuff? I made a list and they’re about equal: things I can no longer do like I did in 1976, and things I refuse to do that I gladly did in 1976. In contradiction to the above goal: act your age.
Ignore the idea of resolutions. Yes, there’s something refreshing about the changing of the calendar year. We always hope that things will be better, and sometimes they are. But don’t pressure yourself into being disappointed in yourself or the world around you. – Mike Barnhardt