I'm a word person. As a writer, I'm adamant about choosing the best and most correct words to convey accurate meaning and specific intent. I usually speak differently than I write. Most people do. When we engage in conversation, we often speak before we think. We forget to bite our tongue, take a deep breath, and consider a different opinion or perspective before we say something. We blurt out words we wish we hadn't. But once a word leaves our mouth, it's out there. Done. We can't erase it, delete the post, or decide not to press send. Fortunately, when we offend someone or hurt their feelings with our words, we can sincerely apologize, allow time to mend the sting of our thoughtlessness, and hopefully learn from our mistake.
Words are simply agreed-upon labels. Every language has a different agreement for each particular word or combination of words. Confusion occurs when a person uses a word that means something different to those with whom they are trying to communicate, even if the people in the conversation all speak the same language.
With the above premise in mind, what does the phrase "New Year's Resolution" mean to you? There's probably a percentage of the population who eagerly wait for each new year, feeling gung-ho about writing their new goals, and zealously categorizing them into the following sub headings: health, recreation, finances, family, relationships, education, career, etc. I used to be one of those people! I even felt a certain sense of accomplishment each time I achieved one of my goals. I gleefully checked it off my list, and moved on to the next one. But as I grew older, and hopefully wiser, I realized I was missing the whole point.
Here's the truth of it. Life is not about checklists. Of course, for practicality and functionality in accomplishing tasks of daily human life, we use words to create lists in planners and calendars and reminders and memos and notebooks. But meaningful life doesn't occur at the gym as we try to sculpt an idealistic body. It doesn't happen when we work overtime for the sake of a promotion, or adding another few dollars to our bank account. It doesn't happen the moment we juice more greens and eat less meat. And it certainly will never happen when we are too busy with our own personal agendas that we make no time to connect with those we love.
The term "New Year's Resolutions" is meaningless, and our efforts to achieve them are pointless, unless we are resolute in our body, mind and soul about the particular goal, or thing, or desire, or accomplishment. A new year may give us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and decide what changes we'd like to make in our life, but if those changes are actual resolutions, we must be resolute in them! There's nothing half-hearted about being resolute. Being a person of resolute strength is not for the namby-pamby. To be resolute means to be immovable, permanently placed, fixed, and unwavering! What is so important to you that you are undaunted in the realization or achievement of it? Do you have undiminished courage and valor for it? Are you steadfast in your resolve towards it? You must be firm in purpose. You must be more than passionate about it. There must be no force that will cause you to abandon your efforts!
If you are resolute, then you're ready to make a resolution, no matter what day of the year it is. If you're not, then stick to the perfunctory goals and daily checklists, which serve a purpose, too. One day you'll wake up, like I did, and discover you're capable of much more.
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