The Merriam-Webster definition of New Year’s resolution: a promise to do something differently in the New Year. About 40% of American people make New Year’s resolutions to make themselves better people.
This tradition did not originate here in America. Historical documents show that the Babylonians made promises to the gods for the New Year hoping to get a favor in return for their promise such as getting out of debt.
Chuck Bayser, Sun City resident has a strong opinion.
“Don’t do them,” he said. “You feel bad when you break them.”
On the other hand, the first day of January gives some Sun City residents the opportunity to start afresh and resolve to change something in their lives for the better. It’s a clean slate.
A YouGov online survey indicates that 37 percent of the resolutions are focused on diet, exercise, and financial decisions for 2018.
Judy Wilmer hopes, “to lose some weight and get healthy.”
Carol Schweitzer also wants, “To be a better person and continue to exercise.”
Cindy Ptak has a unique perspective. She considered the top resolutions and decided, “I could say I resolve to lose weight. I could say I resolve to exercise. What I do plan to do? Be mindful. Live in the moment, without worrying about everything I still need to do for tomorrow. I resolve to be kind and patient. I resolve to enjoy my family and my friends, and I resolve to make new friends. I resolve to be joyful.”
Another Sun City resident, Mike Miller, agrees with Bayser. He states quickly, “Don’t make them.”
Kathy Pott hopes in 2018 to be “Kinder” Her fellow Sun City Residents voice their opinion that she is a kind person already, which brings a smile to all. Lynda H Mogilner similarly strides to, “Be as kind and patient with my family members as I try to be with friends and strangers.”
Alice Miller has a similar quest: “Be a better person than last year.”
Some resolutions are simple. For example, 87-year-old Shirley Osman just wants to “live another year.”
A very specific resolution – from a resident who wants to be anonymous states, “I will watch less of the news on MSNBC – it frustrates me.”
Mike Ptak’s resolution hopes to deal with his frustrations and “to laugh more this year. And because we laugh later about things that bothered us when experiencing them, I want to start laughing about those things earlier!”
Living close to Chicago with the plethora of sports teams, there is one Sun City Resident, Darlene Trolliet, whose resolutions are: “I resolve to never give up the Blackhawks and Cubs. And I will be nicer to my neighbor Steve when the Bears lose.” Trolliet is a Minnesota Vikings Fan.
Experts say your goals should be specific, achievable, measurable, and relevant.
Remember what Albert Einstein said:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
