Category: Let's talk
So, it's about that time of year, is it not? Time to make resolutions, that, nine times out of ten we don't keep. Mine are simple:
1. Get a Linux-dedicated partition on my computer.
2. Get the Principal's list.
3. Compete in a gaming tournament.
So, what are yours?
Honestly, I don't make them anymore for the simple fact that I tend not to keep them. Why make a goal I know I'm likely not going to keep? I do hope that I can make 2014 a better year than 2013 has been, but time will tell.
Yeah... I make goals all the time but not because it's going to be a new year. It's funny how packed the gyms get after the New Year for a couple weeks or three, then the lazy people tend to fade out slowly and you see how few few dedicated people there actually are. But I do hope to be able to do well over 100 push ups and 25 pull ups straight at some point. I've been stuck at 80 push ups straight at the most abnd between 20-23 pull ups. I also want to break 19 minutes at the 5 K running distance and stay at a point where I can run under 6 minute miles. That would be pretty cool. I'm sure I will do better in school this year as I am in a field of focus that I enjoy a hell of a lot more than business. I don't know what I was thinking going in to business management when my overall goal as a career is to work with Veterans who lost their vission, in the specific area of orientation and mobility. I've got a ways until I get to that point, though.
It's funny, I guess our family just never did that tradition and I didn't even hear of it until I was in this little theater group and we were doing a show about the new year and there was a little song about resolutions. Even the little song acknowledged that everybody broke them on January 2. I say why make them when you will end up not living up to them, because most of the time people's ideas of self-improvement involve depriving yourself, acting out of character or going against your own desires.
My resolutions are to spend a lot of time sitting on my lazy ass in front of the computer, eating junk food I shouldn't be eating because of my diabetes, and not exercising any more than absolutely necessary.
Now those are some realistic resolutions.
Same here, though I'm not diabetic.
I resolve that I will win the lottery this year.
I know I've said that before, but this year I intend to buy a ticket.
Bob
like some posters have said, I don't bother making them. if I'm gonna set goals for myself, I don't need a year's end to encourage it, cause I'll do it whenever I see fit to.
I resolve to win the Mega Millions jackpot this year and not share with Bob.
May I post a piece I've written last year caled "The New Years Resolutioners" here, or would it be more appropriate for the Writer's block board. I ask because some people are nitpicky about essays being posted in the wrong boards...I think the piece I wrote (which was published), says it all, so I dotn' feel like writing something about it again. lol
I'm sure it would be fine to post it here, since that's what this topic is about.
Go for it. So long as you think it's related to this topic it's fine. People should chill out anyway because a lot of topics go in a different direction than they intended.
Becky and Bob said it best. I'll try to remember to buy a ticket too, but you know.
I've got a dollar, should I get a beer or a ticket? Hot day.... Beer.
I resolve to be even more of a prick to the zoners who deserve it.
Ok Becky, that's it. You're out of my will: and so is that cat cherity you love, and so's the buckeyes (may they never win another game).
ForReal has the right idea: cold day, hot toddy.
Instant gratification! These tickets, you've got to at least wait a few hours to learn you own some trash.
Awe now, be nice to my Favorite Becky.
AWE Impy, thanks. SO I will share my lottery winnings with you. I'll spend some money on BOB, just enough to help him pay for all the cat food he'll need after I fill his house with cats.
Cool. I'll finally be able to buy new hearing aids then.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions. New Year's has never been a big deal with me since January 1 is really no different from December 31. Hell, I don't even celebrate on New Year's since anything I would want to do I could just as easily do any other day as long as I have the cab fare to get there.
So this is old--from last year. But it still rings true every year.
The New Year Resolutioners
Bernadetta Pracon
The coming of a new year is synonymous with new beginnings. As people jostle each other on the dance floor of every night club on December 31, we can bet that the cogs of each mind are busily spinning in retrospect, reflecting on the last year gone by. As drinks are spilled and good wishes exchanged, the question is common and frequent--Almost as universal as the need for food and sex.
"So what's your resolution for the coming year?"
" I'll quit drinking," someone says as she downs her shot in one gulp.
"I'll quit smoking," her companion replies as he lights one up.
"I' want to lose ten pounds," another one chimes in as she shovels chocolate cake into her seemingly ravenous mouth, all the while tugging at her blouse in an effort to conceal her muffintop.
This scene plays out minutes before the ball is due to drop; Everyone seems to think that it's all right to indulge in next year's forbidden vices since technically, the year is not yet over. A few minutes later the cake will have been eaten, the cigarette stomped out and the lady with the no-drinking resolution will have downed a few more shots for good measure. Of course, she'll drink champagne when the clock strikes twelve; How could she not--It's tradition after all.
Cheers to the new year and to its Resolutioners! Each year there are plenty of them, making the same resolutions they resolved to a decade ago. Except each resolution is more vigorous, stronger in it's conviction. Perhaps this is because the resolutions of New Years' past are forgotten in the frenzy of the coming year. May each year be better, may each one bring joy and may each resolution be lived up to--If only that were ever the case.
According to The Journal of Clinical Psychology and The University of Scranton, 75% of New Year Resolutioners follow through with their yearly resolve--Only for the first week that is. The number of dedicated Resolutioners drops by 4% just a week later, and by a month into the new year the rate drops to 64%. Less than half of the Resolutioners hang on to their promises past the six-month mark. By year's end, only 8% will be able to say that they successfully followed through with their resolution.
Given these results, one might wonder why people continually dupe themselves into making new resolutions annually. Perhaps people are optimistic about self-improvement; The most popular resolution is weight loss, followed by getting organized and spending less money. People try their hand at selflessness as well, resolving to help someone else fulfill their dreams and fall in love.
Still, only 45% of Americans consistently subscribe to the New Year's Resolutioners' Club; The rest do so occasionally or not at all. In any case, it's safe to predict that fitness clubs everywhere will experience a major boost in the first week of January; Memberships will be sold and subsequently not used. Bakers and cake shops should not despair, however, because while their business may undergo a major post-New Year slump, it will be short-lived.
On that note, may the Resolutioners who failed in 2012 wipe the sullen expressions from their faces. 2013 is just around the corner, bringing with it another opportunity to resolve to improve oneself. Besides, even if their resolutions proved to be in vain, 2012 was chock full of successes. The Duchess of Cambridge became pregnant, President Obama was reelected and Apple released the IPad Mini to satisfy those who deemed the IPhone too small and the IPad too bulky. Clearly, the year was a success; Let's raise our glasses to another productive year for each new Resolutioner and beyond.
I love it, Bernadetta! :) Thank you for sharing!
Okay, if I understand it right, you are saying the smart person should invest in a restaurant, health club, bar, with drinks and the dance floor, and a tobacco company before 2015?
How did you come to that conclusion, wayne? lol.
Bernadetta, that essay was brilliant!
Aw, Thanks Leo. It's just some of my usual work. I thought I'd post it since it had to do with the topic. It got me my latest job, though, so I guess it's written all right.. lol.
I need to see if a t-shirt or mug exists that says "new year, same old me, thank goodness" on it.
I will say this, though: I believe holidays like New Year's are important for most humans. Of course there is always the outspoken wet blanket, but most human societies mark new chapters by celebrations. Ironically, one thing communist regimes did on takeover was to take holidays away from people and increase their workload.
I do agree with the majority opinion on resolutions though.
Could you write my business plan? Smile.
I hadn't originally planned on looking at this thread again, but I'm glad I did. Bernadetta, that's briliant indeed! Thanks for posting!
Thanks Alicia. That's so nice of you!!
Wayne, I have indeed written a number of business plans--that's part of my business. No pun intended. lol
The real Question is, could you afford me?
hahahahahaha. lol.
Sounds more like a challenge not a question to me. Smile.
But this here board is about new years resolutions, and I promised to curb my tongue this year.
Hmm!
You're doing good so far, I'd say. lol.
But, you have written the fail rate is high. I trust you!
You may be an exception. Who knows. Just because I'm a skeptic and I can write about it--and prove my skepticism with authoritative information, doesn't mean you can't dream. lol.
It's not just New Year's Day that people make resolutions. How many women here haven't said something like, "I'll start my diet on Monday" or something similar. I've even made little promises to myself on my birthday to try and change in some way. I think New Year's Day is just a symbol in some ways. People always want to change, and picking January 1 to start is as good as anything.
Ah and Becky hits upon a crucial point: symbols. We humans always use symbols either to illustrate things, or to denote beginnings and endings, or like she said, the start to something, or the hope of changing something. I imagine this is at least somewhat true of every intelligent others-conscious language-using life form out there, though of course we haven't met any others yet. Can't get away from use of symbols, labels, beginnings and endings, descriptions, etc. unless we want to do away with the past 50,000 years' worth of evolution.
Wow, Ryan. You could be a Marine Corps fitness coach, lol! I do need to work out, that much is certain.
My New Year's resolution: Get moved into my own place by the time the year is over.
I wanted to exercise and stop wasting so much time on the Internet. 0 for 2 LOL
Post 5, you are a hero!
Bernadetta, excellent work.