Reasonable Resolutions

Each Resolution that I make

My conscience sorely troubles

Because I find they always break

As easy as soap bubbles.

It’s happened again. Another perfectly good year coming to a close. Another chance to start over again with a new set of goals, or maybe recycle ones from last year. Actress and screenwriter Nia Vardalos (who brought us My Big Fat Greek Wedding in 2002) once said,

“My New Year’s Resolution List usually starts with the desire

to lose between ten and three thousand pounds.”

Losing weight was the top resolution in 2014, and will probably be equally popular in 2015.

The second most popular resolution was getting organized. Interesting.

I rather like the suggestion made by theater critic James Agate:

To tolerate fools more gladly,

provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.

I think Agate was on to something – he found a goal that required little or no effort on his part.

Nothing like the traditional picture of Father Time giving advice to the New Year Baby to make you think of time passing. Not that the baby is paying any attention. Junior knows this year will be different. He won’t make the same mistakes his father did. That’s probably true.

And we resolve not to slack off like we did last year. We’ll start walking up the stairs instead of riding the elevator. We’ll go for walks in the park or with our dog around the block, getting fresh air and exercise.

We’ll eat at home more. And while we’re at it, we’ll eat more fresh vegetables. For dessert – guilt-free dark chocolate. Purely for its antioxidant content, of course.

And while we’re outside or at home cooking, we’ll invite actual people to join us. We’ll talk and make eye contact.

As for me, I’m going to publish my book this year.

Time is fleeting. If you’re going to announce your Resolutions, you’ve got three days to make them. Hint: It’s easier to lose three pounds than three thousand. Pick something reasonable.

RESOLVE TO ENJOY YOUR LIFE THIS YEAR.

Acknowledgements:
Featured Image: “New Year Resolution” 1909. US Public Domain. Wikimedia Commons.

New Years Resolution Statistics. Statistic Brain. Here.

Quotations from BrainyQuote.com

“101 Easy to Follow New Year’s Resolutions.” Simple Truth. Here.

Sandra Wagner-Wright holds the doctoral degree in history and taught women’s and global history at the University of Hawai`i. Sandra travels for her research, most recently to Salem, Massachusetts, the setting of her new Salem Stories series. She also enjoys traveling for new experiences. Recent trips include Antarctica and a river cruise on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel.

 Sandra particularly likes writing about strong women who make a difference. She lives in Hilo, Hawai`i with her family and writes a blog relating to history, travel, and the idiosyncrasies of life.