Promises Promises!

Here we are at the dawn of 2012! As a young person, I used to hope that I lived to see a new century and lo and behold I did that and more. Twelve years into the twenty first century, remarkable! I'm glad to be here, despite the fact that the world is struggling. When we greet a new year it is like starting over in some ways. We have the desire to make changes in our lives that will make us better people in one way or another. Now, not all of us think it necessary to change anything about the way we think or do but some of us think there is room for improvement. If you listen to people talk about their resolutions for the new year you will hear pretty much the same 'ole'resolutions from most of them. Lose weight is the biggie, quit smoking, get more sleep, exercise more, stop drinking, swearing, stop watching so much T.V. Most of those promises are personal. The Health Clubs always have big specials at the beginning of the year. The time is ripe for people becomming exercisers and on a mission to improve their appearances. February is a good time to go to the gym if you are serious about it because the New Year resoluters have stopped going by then and you can have the facility to yourself.

How many people do you hear saying that they are going to be kinder, more tolerant, more generous, more compassionate, more informed? So many of us see the need for change in our personal appearance or in our effort to be healthier but how many of us see the need to make amends or changes in the way we treat the people around us? How many of us make resolutions to become a better person, or a better wife, husband, co-worker, neighbor,or friend?

I don't find it nearly as hard to give up eating donuts as it is to be kind or tolerant to a person that I don't agree with or don't approve of.
Depriving myself of certain foods and changing my habits can change my appearance or my health but it does not change my character. Trying to be less judgemental, more understanding, willing to listen, sharing someone's sorrow or joy, simply smiling at someone that needs uplifted when you don't feel so good yourself can be beneficial and can actually change you for the better. That is a resolution that is very, very hard to keep.

It is a resolution that we should all try to make and then make it last beyond January. There's a lot to be said for that Golden Rule! Do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Happy New Year. Ciao!