Every year, thousands of people make New Year's resolutions, to improve some part of their lives or be a better person somehow. Why is it that so many of them fail? Why is it that we make these rash promises to ourselves and others but then fail to follow through with them? Going to the gym once, maybe twice but then becoming too busy. Dropping sweets out of your life, until the cookie platter appears and suddenly you are three or four deep. Talking about people less, except that one kid, cuz he/she deserves it.
Yesterday I saw the movie the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. First off, please go see it. Second, take something out of the theater that maybe wasn't there before. What I got was that we have one life to live, and if we want to make a difference, to change the circumstances, then we have to be willing to step outside and make a change. So, as cliche as this is, what better time than a new year? Take it as you will, this is just a list of simple things that we could all do, maybe it will make a difference. I want to try them anyway.
1. Put the phone away while people are around. Or at least while people are talking to you...remember people want to talk WITH you, not AT a non listening you. I'm guilty too, whether it's my grandma, a friend, or a complete stranger. That text will still be there after the person walks away, twitter isn't going away. But your friend might..
2. Update your resume instead of your status. I don't know about you, but I'm more likely to get a job from my resume than my facebook statuses. But in reverse, a status could also hurt your chances of getting a job.
3. Set your alarm for ten minutes earlier and have some time with our Lord. This time might answer some questions about your life.
4. Drink in less gossip. It does nothing good for anyone, and I'm probably more guilty of it than anyone. If you are going to drink something, drink water, or tea, or coffee. No gossip, no pop.
5. Make a new friend. Or 8. Sit at a different table at lunch! Say hello to more than just your friends.
6. Sign up for a race. You won't want to look like a dead rat at a race, so it will motivate you to run!
7. Save money for a trip somewhere. There is so much to see in this world.
8. Put cinnamon in applesauce. It's just better.
9. Listen always, talk sometimes.
10. When you do talk, make sure you can uphold all that you say. No more rash promises.
This isn't some motivational speech, many of these things I have seen on the Internet. Most are things that we have been taught for years. But what if we actually DID these things. The world could be that much cooler.
"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
