New Year, New Resolutions

I understand the concept OF New Year's Resolutions.  It's part of human nature to want to change and improve.  As self-involved beings, we are constantly comparing and trying to re-invent a better model of what currently exists.  The time of year seems aptly chosen as well since most of us are coming off a serious sugar/carbohydrate bender.  The extra pounds and the overall logy feeling that accompanies said sugar consumption leads us to want to start over.

New Year's Resolutions, however, are by and large a lesson in futility.  We have good intentions, and we usually start strong.  Some of us will last a whole two hours (as in my case with Diet Coke), and some of us will even persist to two weeks.  Past that, habit is like the ocean current.  You may think that you have it under control, but once high tide rolls in, well, you'd better get out of the water or get ready for a ride.

In spite of the negativist viewpoint, there is a value in self-reflection. . presumably beyond narcissism.  We recognize, at some point, that we lose focus and wander off the path of self-improvement (or enlightenment, if you ascribe to that sort of mentality).  I believe that we are all equipped with a built-in sense of "true North," if you will. . .an innate compass that points us where we need to go.  On some level, we know when we've missed the mark; some will recognize it while others will ignore it.  C.S. Lewis discusses the idea much more academically than I can ever hope to in his book, Mere Christianity. The point is that we all KNOW when we're off track.  It's what we choose to do with that information that determines and forms character.

Therefore, the start of a new year seems like a justifiable time to push the "reset" button on our inner-Wii when the game isn't working out.  The question is why does it take the introduction of a new calendar to get us to act on what we already know is amiss?

Anyway, as to my own inner compass (as opposed to the fragility of the word, resolution), my focus is clear. I don't need a list of many-faceted goals because, well, the odds of accomplishment diminish with each addition to the list.  Every coaching and teaching class that I've ever been a part of has told me to keep it simple.  The list should be short so that the goals are attainable.  It is the same advice that I pass on to my students at the beginning of each semester.

More on that thought. . .tomorrow.