Well, 2016 is coming to a close — about this time every year, I ramble on about the year ending and the year about to begin. 2016 was a really good year for me and I think for our families… like every year, there were ups and downs but a lot more ups than downs and in reality, the downs weren’t really downs, they were just not as up as ups. As always, lots and lots and lots to be thankful for.
So here it is time for a new year to roll in and we all probably have a mental list of things we want to achieve and/or change. There’s no better time than the beginning of a year to start fresh and focus on achieving these goals. As I keep mentioning, and everyone knows, a very low percentage of people that make resolutions really commit to them. So why bother? Other than it’s just one of the things to do on New Years, it gives you a chance to think about areas in your life that you’d like to improve and you can take a few minutes to reflect on your past, present and future. If this reflection reveals areas that you’d like to change, now’s a good time to start. And, who knows, if you make a resolution that really motivates you enough to truly change, some real good can come from this annual tradition.
So what do I resolve to do in 2017?
• I resolve to not send a text to someone sitting in the same room… or even in the same house. I have to admit that I’ve actually done that — I realize its harder and harder to communicate with people these days, but no more texting for me if they’re within a quarter of a mile
• I will take a selfie this year. I may be the only person younger than 95 that has never taken a selfie. I didn’t know how until recently when I found out that my phone had a camera in the front so I didn’t have to bend my neck around to the back… so stand by — I might include the results in the blog.
• I will not save my fortune cookie message in my wallet. I’m not sure why I’ve done this in the past, but I usually find them months later… maybe I think the message is so meaningful that its going to guide me through some troubling time or something…but no more — if I think it’s that important, I’ll take a picture of it on my phone.
• I will not come up with any new cool social media acronyms. First of all, I don’t like social medial acronyms like lol or omg or….whatever — no abbreviations for me — I know how to spell (with the help of spell checkers.)
• I resolve to be accepting. Things are changing… marijuana is becoming legal, gay marriage is legal — people are gay, people smoke pot…I’m not and I don’t but I won’t get in the way of anyone’s lifestyle and I won’t judge. I will accept people, and things, for what they are — guess what, I can’t change them anyway.
• I will not buy bright colored sneakers or tennis shoes or golf shoes — or those with some psychedelic pattern. Sneakers should be white, or black, or maybe gray….
• I resolve, every day, to (try) be better than I was yesterday…. and today.
In many ways, this year has been tough… a brutal presidential election, lots of natural (and man-made) disasters and tragedies here in the US and abroad. So as the New Year approaches, let’s hope for a wonderful year. And don’t forget, to some extent, what the New Year brings to you will depend a lot on what you bring to the New Year.
Happy 2017 to all.
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