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New Year's Resolutions

It happens every year... People around the world confess to their sins and vow to make the new year something bold and different. I think I have heard them all, but now and then I have been surprised by some people who have come up with some of the most outrageous resolutions of all times. Most of them I can't share with you because I have been sworn to secrecy, but let it be said that they are "unique". I am actually surprised someone hasn't written a book for the "top 100 resolutions" of all times. Some of these self-promises are so far-reaching and profound they would be impossible to achieve without military intervention. Then on the other hand, some of the resolutions I have heard from some people are so mundane, that just waking up tomorrow would be judged as "mission accomplished". I guess it all boils down to a matter of self fulfilment and the ability to think of something that sounds desirable and attainable.

I have made some of the traditional "swear to do better" resolutions myself over the years, most of which have failed miserably or have slowly faded away by March or April out of lack of desire or different priorities that have come along. I can't think of any one thing that stands out, that I really resolved to do and have kept up with as a result of a New Year's Eve party. I view the new year as a time of reflection and a time for being with good friends. I have found that making resolutions is not a good way for me to live my life. To me, the change in my life is an evolutionary process that comes out of just day to day living and not from a hard-fast resolution that finds a new twist with every new day. If I wake up one morning and have the resolve to do something new, I try to do it to the best of my ability for that day. They may not be big goals, but tiny steps that can add up to a mile over time. I have reflected on goals and things I would like to do in the year ahead on New Year's Day, but only as a guide to living.

Isn't it kind of silly that we wait to the end of the year to make these kind of promises to ourselves. Why is it that we always seem to wait and wait until there is a valid reason (as if we need an excuse) to make up our minds about doing new things ? I am sure a lot of it is cultural conditioning and the thought of a new year seems to be a kind of magic "start-finish line" that reminds us to think about emotional and spiritual housekeeping and maybe some goal setting.

I thought this way once, but now I think of New Year's Eve as one big communal birthday party for friends. We all want to celebrate basically the same things and like a birthday, it is an anniversary of sorts. I like the idea of having a built-in reason for having a party or get-together other than a birthday or Christmas.

So, without further ado, I will share with you some of the traditional and non-traditional New Year's resolutions that I have heard over the years...

The list can go on and on but I thought it best to leave it at 50 suggestions. As you can tell, there are cynics in every crowd. I can actually fit quite comfortably into both categories which is a scary thought. All I can say is that every year brings new challenges and if you feel you have made a difference (however slight) it will have been all worthwhile.

Pure and simple....

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- This BMG Strikers page was last updated on January 27th, 1998 -