New Year's Resolutions

I was never much for New Year’s resolutions. I always figured if something needed to be done, you just did it!  You don’t wait around for special occasions or some extra incentive stamped by the date. If it had to be done it had to be done. I’ve taken on a lot of issues that way in my life, everything from losing weight to stopping smoking. No big deal. 

Or so I thought. Lately I’ve been thinking more and more about New Year’s resolutions, the promises we make to ourselves and each other. Last year I heard a woman with stage four cancer resolve to fight her tumors tooth and nail, to stay brave and cheerful, and most of all to survive. Today she’s still going strong, full of warmth and grace. She’s even started a cancer support group at her local church. I don’t know how much of that was because of her New Year’s resolution…but it sure didn’t hurt.

And a few years ago one of my old friends resolved to be a better father. And it wasn’t easy for him. He had a Down’s Syndrome son in his early twenties, a constant source of worry and often despair. But my friend really stood up to the plate­ – literally. He and his son played catch most every day, attended little league together and became great fans of the Milwaukee Brewers. It didn’t change the world, but it sure made them a lot happier!

So now I’m foursquare on the bandwagon. I’ve seen the value of a New Year’s promise made in good faith, whether to yourself or the people around you. And my resolution this year is to be more mindful of the people who are in there hacking, using their resolutions, best efforts and faith in trying to make a world a better place. Happy New Year!

God bless,

Jim Shore