CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
OK folks, it is that time of year -- New Year's. Four thousand years ago the first New Year's celebration took place in ancient Babylon, albeit in March, and the Romans changed it officially to January 1st around 46 B.C. with Julius Caesar's decree. Oddly enough, the most common New Year's resolution with the Babylonians was returning borrowed farm equipment -- some neighbors never change in 4,000 years, huh?
Just as the ancient peoples did, it is that time when we all vow to change that bad habit, set that new goal, tackle that hard-to-achieve task, etc. It's the time when many of us decide to make a "New Year's Resolution." According to my trusty on-line reference site, a New Year's resolution is a "commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved."
We all start with good intentions and high hopes. Many of the top resolutions people make are not unique and are common among many, such as getting fit (well, for those of us in the uniform we should not have to worry about this one although being fitter might be a goal), quitting smoking, decreasing debt, becoming more organized, reducing stress, traveling more, spending more time with family and friends and -- my ultimate -- saving more money.
All too often our New Year's resolution quickly becomes our delusion within a couple of months if not weeks. The question then becomes should we make resolutions and, if so, how do we stay focused to achieve them? One can search the internet and find several tools to help you track, formulate and document your progress or lack thereof. There are also on-line chat groups to share your progress and surveys to help you decide which resolutions to make. Whether or not you decide to make a New Year's resolution is up to you; however, think about it ... is it really something you want to achieve for you and not for friends and family? If you decide a New Year's resolution is for you be realistic and make it attainable; develop a personal plan with milestones to evaluate your progress.
Seek the support of others to maintain your efforts and help keep you motivated to press on. Don't beat yourself up if you fail. Keep in mind making a commitment to change a habit or a lifestyle for the better doesn't have to wait until the end of a year and/or the beginning of a new year -- you can do it any time. Oh, by the way ... Happy New Year; and to whomever has my farm equipment, please resolve to return it to me this year!