New Year’s Resolution: Do More of What You Love

At this time of year, many of us cap off a season of excess with infinitely well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions, some of which actually remain in force for a week or more.

In a tradition that presumably connects us with our Puritan forebears, New Year’s resolutions invariably speak to our better but generally little known natures. This year, we announce in brave tones, we will give up all bad habits and embrace habits that are good for us but which have little or no appeal. We will lose weight. We will exercise. We will save more and spend less. We will clean up our language, our sheds, our behavior. In short, we will do that which we do not want to do. Ha! Like that’s going to happen.

There is always more than one way to skin a cat. To heck with weight loss and exercise. Why wouldn’t we resolve to do more of the things that make us happy? Instead of a list of grim dictates that are as likely to succeed as a snowball in hell, consider resolutions that might actually produce results.

Resolve to have more fun this year. Acquire more old iron, even if it needs massive amounts of work. Just think what you could accomplish if you spent as much time on your hobby as you would on a resolution-driven exercise program!

Resolve to do more of the things you enjoy doing. When you’re at a show next summer and 2 o’clock rolls around, go directly to the ice cream stand. Those vendors depend on your support: They have bills to pay and kids in college! Have some ice cream and make good on your resolutions, all in one fell swoop.

Resolve to spend more time with the people who make you smile. You can spend hours cleaning a shed, mowing the pasture or painting the house – or you can spend at least some of those hours with people you enjoy. Ten years from now, memories of time spent toiling will not bring a smile to your face.