The New Year celebration, with all of its overt and covert anticipation and promise, often inspires us to make resolutions to change something in our lives. Usually worthwhile and occasionally even lofty, these resolutions later can become a source of disappointment and guilt when the “follow-through” is not as enthusiastic as the moment of passionate determination when the resolution is made. Yet the idea of making resolutions for personal change on New Year’s Eve persists as a social/cultural phenomenon. We all want to grow, improve, do better and be better than we were.
I have a different idea. What about resolving to do something simple, yet difficult, requiring no special equipment, no financial investment, and no special talents? We may not be consistently successful in achieving this resolution, but we, as well as everyone around us, will benefit. It may not seem the most unique of resolutions, especially if we all take on to try it. It may not bring immediate or tangible differences by the end of the week, and can’t be easily measured. Yet, I cannot think of anything that would so change our world, and create the potential for better health, more happiness and all-around peace of mind and spirit as would this:
What if we all resolve to follow the Golden Rule?
(If by chance you don’t know what it is… ask the next few people you talk to. Perhaps the conversations will begin your journey toward real and lasting change we can believe in.)
And Happy New Year.
Success in making personal changes means making a commitment to yourself.
