The ancient Babylonians were apparently the first society to make resolutions for a new year. Their practice of making resolutions started about 4,000 years ago. They apparently also held celebrations to bring in the new year, which they celebrated in the Spring when they planted their crops. While the Babylonians reportedly resolved to return borrowed equipment or repay debts owed, resolutions in modern times have grown in scope to accommodate our current ways of life.
According to a number of sources, most new year resolutions revolve around self-improvement in the form of losing weight, getting more exercise, eating better or attaining a self-development goal. Many people never accomplish their resolutions. In the spirit of getting our readers thinking about what they can and should resolve, and after reading a number of articles/lists/blogs and doing a lot of thinking, I offer the following “menu” for you to consider and select from, should you be inclined. These are not in any particular order…
- Lose weight
- Enhance physical fitness
- Eat healthier
- Gain more life-work balance
- Get a promotion and/or raise at work
- Finish your education/degree/certification
So, those are some of the more traditional ones. Here’s some that also reflect our current crazy-busy, tech-driven lives. Some of these take only a minute, so you will be sure to accomplish them!
- Call your mother
- Play with the dog or cat
- Call or go in-person instead of sending an email
- Spend less time on social media
- Ask your friends about their family
- Write a hand-written thank you note
- Write a hand-written “thinking of you” note
- Say hello to the neighbor you don’t really ever talk to
- Make an effort to meet the person in the next cubicle
- Learn a new computer application and use it
- Give to a local charity
- Say thank you more often
- Think more about the future
- Take the dog for a long walk even if it is cold outside
- Leave the dog home and take a long walk with your significant other
- Stop and take in a great sunrise or sunset
- Stop by the local animal shelter and play with the dogs and cats
- Maybe even rescue one of them and give them a forever home
- Converse with a service provider and let them know you notice them
- Read a real book
- Listen to others even when you disagree with them
- Give blood
- Give your time to a local non-profit
- Be a mentor to a young person that needs one
- Read to a blind person
- Visit a nursing home
- Call an old friend you have not talked to in a while
- Tell your children about the “old days”
- Thank a veteran
- Forgive, and forget
- Make peace with a person you are on “the outs” with
- Drive the speed limit
- Don’t tailgate
- Hold the door open for someone of either sex
- Smile, you probably have it better than 99% of those in the world
- Tell your family you love them
- Clean the snow off someone else’s car
- Be honest as to your accomplishments, and your limitations
- Don’t be a pompous jerk
- Read a classic (again)
- Go bowling with the family
- Snuggle with your significant other
- Dust (you know it has been a while)
- Ask a fast food server how their day is going
- Show interest even when you are not that interested
- Root for the underdog
- Go back to your old school and strike up a conversation with a current student
- Carry someone’s groceries out to their car
- Surprise them by first paying for their groceries
- Learn who your elected representatives are
- Don’t preach. Share, and then listen
- Dance at the next wedding you go to
- Make a budget
- Stick to your budget
- Recycle
- Donate unused clothes to a charity of your choosing
- Watch the birds at the feeder
- Wonder at the miracle of life
- Stop at a yard sale
- Write a letter-to-the-editor because you know you have something to say
- Tell your significant other you love them
- Live life to the fullest and be the success that you define
- Be humble
- Save your loose change in a jar
- Be the positive one
- Tip generously
- Tell a joke
- Smile more (yes, a repeat)
- Take the stairs, not the elevator
Well, there you have it. Some suggested resolutions for you (and for me) to consider. Please feel free to send us your thoughts and any of your resolutions for a follow-up on this cover story. You can send comments to info@deepdreektimes.com. Happy New Year!
-Mike Tumbarello