New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions are great things if a person takes them seriously. Unfortunately like many other traditions and customs in our country, they're often symbolism without substance. Many Americans buy books but don't read them, celebrate Thanksgiving but aren't thankful, talk about problems but don't solve them (our politicians?!), and make New Year's Resolutions but don't keep them.

Don't get me wrong; I've started down the resolution path many times only to slip and fall. Still, I've been successful at making and keeping New Year's Resolutions as have many other people.

I'll tell you a little story about a New Year's Resolution I made in September 2009. I allowed my wife to buy a puppy for the kids. I won't bore you with my reasons but I've never been a pet lover. I resolved that for the sake of my wife and children I'd make myself like the puppy (no I didn't try to be a dog, I "like" the dog). As it turned out, for the first two months I did almost all the feeding of and cleaning up the puppy. I stayed up with her all night when she was sick and she often naps with me on the couch.

Yes, I'm now a dog-lover; at least our dog. She's made a "believer" out of me and I learned again that a person can change almost any attitude by resolving to do so and then with prayer and action, doing it.

So, for 2010 here's my pick for the top 10 New Year's Resolutions. I don't think they need any commentary, do they?

1. Be more affectionate to my spouse (wife for me)

2. Cut Back on Spending Money

3. Exercise Regularly

4. Eat Healthier

5. Smile More

6. Reduce Negative Speech

7. Compliment People More

8. Spend More & Better Time with Family

9. Reduce Television Watching

10. Obey Driving Speed Limits

You may have noticed that many of the above resolutions are inter-connected. If you cut back on spending money (shopping) you'll have more time to exercise, more money in savings so you'll probably smile more, and you'll have time to spend with the family. If you exercise regularly you'll naturally eat healthier, you'll feel better and therefore smile more. If you spend less time watching television you'll be able to spend more time with the family, and so on.

You've probably read or heard the definition of insanity. Insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different outcomes.

Friends, if something in life isn't working for you, change it; otherwise it'll never work.

Don't bite off more than you can chew. You know how to eat a whale? one bite at a time.

Here's wishing you a happy and healthy 2010