2008 Woodie Awards
Make resolutions count this year
Our View
Last updated: 1/11/07 at 1:15 PM CST Section: Opinion
Resolutions can be as pointless as Kevin Federline's singing career.
They may seem like a good idea, but in the end it may be best to just forget they even exist.
Some of us at the Missourian are resolving not to resolve things we'll never accomplish in 2007. Instead of setting outlandish expectations for ourselves of losing 75 pounds or quitting smoking cold turkey, we are going to merely resolve to be happy with what we have and are-something we urge each of you to do.
Now, don't get us wrong, the right resolution with adequate determination is admirable, attainable even. Resolving to send your loved ones more letters or donate to your favorite charity frequently are goals to be commended. But it is time to stop this tomfoolery of trying to magically transform into something you're never going to be because the ball dropped on New Year's.
Life isn't a fairy tale and you're not going to magically transform like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, so you need to get this notion out of your minds.
Maybe an even more important notion to ponder is why some of us want a fresh start. Save the fact you may have had something traumatic happen to you the previous year, 2006 and all previous years happened for a reason and should be periods of time you are proud of and want to remember.
We spend so much of our time trying to change who we are. We think it's great if you want to lose a few pounds or quit smoking, but why wait for the beginning of the year, put so much anticipation on the resolution and end up failing? If you do insist on setting resolutions this year, the University of Maryland Medical Center Web site has some tips for keeping them-even if for a few weeks longer this year.
"Focus on realistic goals with measurable results," said Jill RachBeisel, M.D., director of community psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "You need to break things down into small steps that you can manage."
The medical center also suggests sharing your resolutions with others, avoiding perfectionist thinking and setting goals that truly have meaning to your life.
Instead of trying to lose 75 pounds, try to lose a pound every week. We know Americans demand instant gratification when it comes to things like weight loss and resolutions, but what's the point of aiming to lose an immense amount of weight only to not lose anything at all or worse, gaining it all back because you didn't set an attainable goal and gave up.
All in all, life isn't that bad. Be thankful for what you have and if you really only have five vanity pounds to lose, don't beat yourself up over it. Life really is about wanting what you have.
Even better yet, maybe resolve not to resolve this year, and work on being a better person or being thankful all year long.
They may seem like a good idea, but in the end it may be best to just forget they even exist.
Some of us at the Missourian are resolving not to resolve things we'll never accomplish in 2007. Instead of setting outlandish expectations for ourselves of losing 75 pounds or quitting smoking cold turkey, we are going to merely resolve to be happy with what we have and are-something we urge each of you to do.
Now, don't get us wrong, the right resolution with adequate determination is admirable, attainable even. Resolving to send your loved ones more letters or donate to your favorite charity frequently are goals to be commended. But it is time to stop this tomfoolery of trying to magically transform into something you're never going to be because the ball dropped on New Year's.
Life isn't a fairy tale and you're not going to magically transform like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, so you need to get this notion out of your minds.
Maybe an even more important notion to ponder is why some of us want a fresh start. Save the fact you may have had something traumatic happen to you the previous year, 2006 and all previous years happened for a reason and should be periods of time you are proud of and want to remember.
We spend so much of our time trying to change who we are. We think it's great if you want to lose a few pounds or quit smoking, but why wait for the beginning of the year, put so much anticipation on the resolution and end up failing? If you do insist on setting resolutions this year, the University of Maryland Medical Center Web site has some tips for keeping them-even if for a few weeks longer this year.
"Focus on realistic goals with measurable results," said Jill RachBeisel, M.D., director of community psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "You need to break things down into small steps that you can manage."
The medical center also suggests sharing your resolutions with others, avoiding perfectionist thinking and setting goals that truly have meaning to your life.
Instead of trying to lose 75 pounds, try to lose a pound every week. We know Americans demand instant gratification when it comes to things like weight loss and resolutions, but what's the point of aiming to lose an immense amount of weight only to not lose anything at all or worse, gaining it all back because you didn't set an attainable goal and gave up.
All in all, life isn't that bad. Be thankful for what you have and if you really only have five vanity pounds to lose, don't beat yourself up over it. Life really is about wanting what you have.
Even better yet, maybe resolve not to resolve this year, and work on being a better person or being thankful all year long.
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