Tales From the Quarter

New Year! New You!

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Resolute Resolutions

Okay, let’s be real. Do you keep those lofty and totally inspired New Year’s resolutions? You know what I’m talking about: those pledges to make amends with your health and welfare and to just be a better person. And despite the most noble and valiant commitments and dedicated jump-starts, do you find that by, say, mid-January, you are suffering the self-recriminations of being a slacker, and by month’s end, realizations of failure-to-stay-thecourse have taken root? Can I hear an “amen”? Can I get a witness?

Yep, every New Year’s Eve, we collectively toast to new beginnings, do-overs, makeovers, and vows to kick bad habits to the curb, while swearing to climb those mountains of righteous good deeds—and yet we know deep down inside that it just ain’t gonna happen. So, does this mean that we shouldn’t make those feel-good resolutions? No. But perhaps we just need to be a bit more realistic.

You say you are really psyched to run that marathon this spring. Well, honey, maybe you should consider that you don’t even jog, and those epic walks on the treadmill once a week might not quite cut it. No shame, no blame—we all gotta start somewhere, but maybe shoot for the “fun run,” which is about 23 miles shorter. Be honest about your athletic prowess.

I remember once when I was determined to begin a new year with a positive exercise agenda. Let it be said that being hungover from a New Year’s Eve celebration is not exactly a proper warm-up for running. Good intentions wanted to persevere (I even turned down a mimosa brunch), but four blocks into my course, my run took flight and had an emergency landing over the treacherous terrain of a sidewalk long overdue for pothole repairs. My Olympic-gold-medal dreams were replaced with a cast and crutches.

Many self-improvement projects include weight loss. Yes, we all could do with an honest self-assessment of our weight and should strive towards eating a diet that puts us on a healthy course. But girl, don’t go buying that size-6 sexy little dress for motivation, especially when you are a size 18. Do you need to lose some weight so as to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and hips and knees that are gonna give you grief years from now? Absolutely! So go for it, but be realistic. Set goals that are healthy and attainable. Maybe that wimpy little size 6 is too small for the sexy woman you were meant to be, curves and all—how about a size 12?

It seems that most resolutions focus on lofty advancements in terms of careers—hell, just get a damn job and then clock in on time. But let’s say you have a serious commitment to a current job and want to “go places” within that company. Then, of course, focus on the long-term and the things you might need to do to advance your pay grade and position. But take it slow and steady and find ways to make this job rewarding and enjoyable, other than with a title and pay raise. I, for one, prefer being a grounded and happy employee, rather than aggressively climbing up a corporate ladder—I never did like heights. Anyway, set realistic goals for your work place, tighten up on your work ethic, give a little more effort, and, above all, cultivate those workplace friendships. Most of my lasting and most rewarding friendships were developed on the job—often a job that was less than satisfying or short-lived—but the benefits package gave me relationships that have stayed steady.

Speaking of relationships, now that is an area we all could work on. Being a better friend, better neighbor, or even a kinder person to strangers is easy-breezy, and the goal can be accomplished with small gestures and actions. But sometimes being there for someone gets put off, postponed, and then forgotten. That letter you meant to write to a friend’s mom should be put in the mail before you stumble across an obituary telling you that it’s too late. Make a small list each week of two people to call or write to. Offer a neighbor something from your garden, bring over a plate of your home-cooked dinner or a slice of cake, or leave a bottle of wine at their doorstep. Heck, just bring in their garbage can for them.

My goals for the New Year are a little less dramatic than in years past. I want to pledge to take my vitamins every single day (they are called One A Day for a reason, not Once in a Blue Moon). Also, those damn three-pound free weights need to be lifted off the floor and placed in my hands to signal to my flabby triceps that there’s a new sheriff in town, and she ain’t gonna put up with upper arms that flap in the wind. Another resolution is to write and submit this monthly column earlier than the 11th hour of my deadline. Yep, I am choosing goals that, maybe, I will achieve.

Happy New Year to you! Be safe, be sane, and strive for some modicum of contentment.