| Ahhh…January 1. Everyone comes out swinging this time of year, the traditional day for thinking about one’s past mistakes and making lofty promises to the gods. Or as some say – “casual promises that you are under no legal obligation to fulfill.” Every so often we have a go at it. But staring down the barrel of 2024, I’m working on an alternative. It’s list of things that I have no intention of ever doing. It’s more achievable and way cheaper. I mean, I have to balance ambition with practicality. There is great satisfaction of checking these items off as you don’t do them. But remember, once you’ve crossed over, there’s no looking back. For example. Walking the Camino – too far. Scaling Katmandu – too high. Snowshoeing in the Arctic – too cold. Reading cosmetic labels. Too many words. Like, who needs to fight these titanic battles, anyways? This Resolution may just change my life forever. Reborn. Given a sentence of freedom. Stripped of a useless layer, like being on an IV drip of some miraculous substance. In fact, this maybe my new passion. I’m sure it’s going to turn me into a more wholesome and better human being. Thich Nhat Hanh, the preeminent Buddhist teacher, who knows a thing or two about attachments, found that committing to a No New Year’s Resolution is the most reliable way to achieve your goals for the upcoming year and create lasting change. Because you have to ask yourself: “Is your resolution realistic considering your current circumstances?” They say if you want to keep your resolutions, one trick is to tell as many people as possible or maybe join a “No Resolutions” group with similar aims for mutual support. So I’m counting on you, dear readers. But there is one resolution to which I am committted. To not ever ask questions of people just coming off an elevator. “Excuse me.” Could you please tell me where this elevator goes?” “Up.” “Yes, I know, but where exactly does it end up?” “The next floor.” Sigh. Given I am not particularly cheerful or optimistic or “festive” by nature, this ‘No Resolutions” thing may be a problem now that I have so much more free time to judge and brood, because an empty diary can be just as stressful as a full diary. Nevertheless, even if you deeply desire to uphold the No New Year’s Resolution this year, there’s always room for improvement. Take unread books. They aren’t an issue as long as they fulfill their implicit secondary function: as decorative objects and social signifiers. Or eating better. I don’t want to brag, but I’ve kept last year’s New Year’s Resolution. I’ve had pasta every day all this year. It’s about personal accountability. Learning a new language. For example, in many languages, I know how to say, “Hello,” “Do you have lite mayonnaise?,” and, “What is the Wi-Fi password?” Improving your mind. I just finished watching a six-hour silent film about Napoleon. I’m sure this counts. Upgrading a toss pillow collection to something more daring and clever – maybe something with tassels or lace edging. It will make you feel like you are contributing to the community. Maybe one day you will write a book about their calming effects. Losing weight. Ten pounds. Only 14 more to go. Of course, if you ARE the 79% who still want to uphold this time-honoured tradition, but may find it difficult to see it through, there is an offical out. The second Friday in January is “Quitter’s Day.” By the way, there’s no rule that says you have to wait until January 1 to make a No New Year’s Resolution. There’s always today. |
Seemed like a good idea at the time
January 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Speak Your Mind