Did anyone you know make a resolution?
What is a New Years’ Resolution?
Is it a wish?
Is it a prayer?
Is it a confession?
Is it none of the above?
Is it all of the above?
Maybe resolutions are out of fashion because they open you to judgement and criticism?
What am I talking about, you ask? Look guys… sit back and relax and let me try to explain not only to you, but to myself how my circuitous mind works.
I find it interesting that in conversations today, most particularly after you’ve opened yourself to how you think and feel with someone, their response to you can be something really hurtful and on occasion, downright cruel. This usually is followed by a coward’s cover-up of, “nothing personal”.
Oh yeah, right!!!
As the world divides (and the divisions are growing like viruses in a petri dish), there are fewer and fewer conversations without the “nothing personal” caveat. This caveat allows us humans to judge, criticize, and obliterate the others.
Definition of The Others: They don’t look like you. The don’t think like you. They don’t talk like you. You get the idea.
This makes me aware of the loss of our moral muscles. Muscles I took for granted would always be there. Like everything else worth holding onto, if you don’t practice, if you don’t use those muscles, you lose those muscles. I never thought I would witness such a profound and growing loss. And it’s not just here… it is worldwide. When 9/11 happened, there was a moment, literally just a moment, where the world came together in shock, pain… a global sense of the outrage, the grief, the loss. That moment, unfortunately, was squandered and I believe we continue our downward spiral culminating in the current divisive incivility.
In this environment, it is difficult to make any resolutions.
And yet, I believe these once a year resolutions, particularly in times of stress, sturm and drang, have a special purpose. They take us out of ourselves into a world of others. Think about it. Isn’t it a kind of ritual (only after the family geshtangananga, of course), when you sit down at a Thanksgiving table to go around and have each person give their thanks for whatever? Well, New Years’ Eve or New Years Day is the time to look over the year and resolve ways and habits to give you not a face lift but a life lift. Right?
Phew! We finally got to where I wanted to go from the beginning. Like I said before a circuitous route.
MY RESOLUTIONS:
As an 88 year old woman living in the Pandemic of Covid, circa year two going into year three, I am on my knees in gratitude for my vaccinations and booster, my masks, provision of clean water for drinking and washing, good food, shelter, clothing. I resolve to not take any of this for granted. I further resolve to hold any whining about any inconvenience in my life to an in-my-closet-stifled-silent-scream.
Edvard Munch
I resolve to contribute to certified organizations that bring health, cleanliness, food, and shelter to peoples in need. (The link above is not a recommendation, simply a list.)
And most importantly, I resolve to take myself out of myself. It can really get so boring in there. Let me tell you… nothing leads to depression more than boredom. Depression is not a good thing for anyone. For the elderly it is a disaster. You hear me? A disaster. So stop already.
I can just hear you, guys…. ”Oh, sure. That’s easy for you to say.”
A lot you know.
Nothing is easy for anyone who once was able to do or be or say anything and now cannot, whether due to age or money or health or any change. Even though it is the only constant, humans don’t do change very well. It takes us forever to figure out the obvious. Dare I write the words Climate Change… oops, I just did.
You already know that laughing lowers blood pressure and raises spirits. Here is something else you can try. And remember you don’t have to sing or dance. Just look as this guy. He can’t do either and they love HIM…
Right??? Of course, right!!!
Love, Sally-Jane ❤️
Sally-Jane's Blah, Blah, Blog 