Do people still make resolutions? I know the morning shows and talk
shows always bring them up. I mean, they need something to talk about at the end of a calendar year. Why not talk about all the things you plan on doing (but probably won’t) in the upcoming year? Are New Year’s resolutions still an actual thing, or is it something that people merely talk about to fill time?

What is a resolution? Merriam-Webster’s simple definition of resolution is  “the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc.” (As an English teacher, I particularly enjoy the ‘etc.’ portion. That’s the ‘save your butt’ word that doesn’t fly in a traditional essay. Blogs and definitions are immune to such rules).

What is a resolution? Merriam-Webster’s simple definition of resolution is  “the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc.”

If we’re going to make a resolution, by definition we need admit there’s a problem. A certain recovery program says this is the only way to make a change.

So, what’s your problem?
No. Seriously. What’s your problem? We live in a world where everyone has a “this” disorder or a “that” diagnosis to excuse a particular trait (see: social stigma we’re too lazy to alter or too selfish to admit) that is quirky. I think that if we’re going to make resolutions to lose weight or spend more time with our family or to read more or to finally drop that crack habit, we’ve got to realize the void causing that problem.

I’d love to spend more time with my family, but I spend a good amount of time to begin with. I do have responsibilities with work outside of working hours, but that is not an excuse to disregard my peeps. I could literally sit by my kid’s bed and watch him sleep. Technically I’m spending time with him. He’s got no clue I’m there, but I’m keeping my resolution by a technicality.

You might think this is a trivial argument, but do we not apply those same thoughts to the other resolutions? I could go to the gym and sit there, but that’s not accomplishing the goal set by the “Go to the Gym More” resolution.

One example I give my students when it comes to editing an essay is pretending to fill up your car with gas VS actually filling up your car with gas. When the moment of truth comes, we’re going to see who keeps driving and who’s on the side of the road.

When the moment of truth comes, we’re going to see who keeps driving and who’s on the side of the road.

Technically speaking…
I refuse to live my 366 days of 2016 (it’s a leap year) by technicalities.

So, technically speaking, we need to identify the problems that need resolving (hence the name…resolution). Our resolutions seem to resemble the manifestation of an end: Lose weight. Sleep more. Save more. Love more. Laugh more. Stay off the crack pipe. But there’s more to these.

Technically, I could lose plenty of weight if I alter my lifestyle. John Cena
(that small guy) has been co-hosting portions of The Today Show. They showed the cover of a weight lifting magazine that had him on it. One of the headlines was “The Secret to Killer Abs.” They asked him what the real secret was, and his answer was simple and obvious.

Cena said that if people make good nutritional choices and just go out and do things, they would be shocked at the results they see. The Champ hit the nail on the head. People need to realize that actions have consequences. Good actions, good consequences. Bad actions…you get the idea.

So, What’s My Problem?
I never make resolutions because I know they’re going to get demolished. That’s a cop out, I know, but it’s true.

Goals. That’s what I have. Here are some of them:

1. Have more quality time with my kids—My kids are both at the age where they do stuff. Charlotte is all about girly rowdiness. She wants to have tea parties at 100 miles per hour. John is getting to be a boy’s boy. He wants to build (and destroy) as well as “chill with the boys.” I want to be there to show them how we can be both wild and soft, together. If I invest now, it should pay off in the future.

2. Focus on the wifelt—Don’t tell her I said this, but she’s the backbone, the oil, the gears, the boss, the organizer, and “etc.” for our family. I always joke that the girl I married is a woman now but I’m still the boy. She rolls her eyes. I need to stay silly and charming (my own personal opinion about myself) while growing in my reliability. Remember, happy wife, happy life!

3. Create a Positive Reality—If negativity spreads like a cancer, why can’t positivity? I can spread positivity by my beliefs (sure) but mainly through my actions. I need to “create the plus.” People will tear down and take, but if I can create surplus good, we’ll be better for it.

What’s the answer to a conflict? Mindset. If we think like champions, live like heroes, and act as if we’re almost untouchable, we can use those powers for good.

What’s the problem? Selfishness and Laziness. The best way for me to better my world is to better everyone else’s.

~RLC