Keeping resolutions

The start of a new year is a time for reflection and a time for making plans. For many of us, New Year's Day is the first day to test all those ambitious resolutions we made. As today's editorial cartoon suggests, resolutions should be realistic -- but not so low as not to be challenging.

Dieting and quitting smoking are among the top New Year's resolutions each year. And they can have the most disappointing results. So what would be some good -- and attainable -- resolutions?

Take a look at some of the news that dominated 2005: disasters that seemed to come in waves. When disasters occur, there is always an outpouring of humanitarian generosity. And this is good. But there are needs to provide food, shelter, clothing and medical care throughout the year, even when the weather is fair and ground isn't trembling.

Resolution: To find ways to help those in need every month of the year.

Take a look at your personal relationships with family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Are you making a genuine effort to be a force for good, or do you prefer to stew in the messes you and other people make?

Resolution: To love my neighbor as myself.

Take a look at what government is -- or is not -- doing for you and those who matter to you. Have you ever griped about "the government"? Have you ever called one of your elected officials -- council member, school board member, county commissioner, state legislator, U.S. representatives or senator or even the president? Did you vote for any of these officeholders?

Resolution: To participate in the democratic process by voting and by sharing my ideas with elected officials.

Take a look at where your home, your community, your state, the nation and the world are headed. Is that where you want to go? If you were in the driver's seat, which direction would you be turning? Would you be pushing on the accelerator or the brake pedal?

Resolution: To be informed about my world and to express my ideas for improvements to those who can turn mere thoughts into concrete action.

There are dozens more good resolutions to be made, but you know what they are. If everyone took the time to make some of these useful resolutions and had the perseverance to stick to them, our lives would be better.

Resolution: To be a participant rather than a bystander.

Happy New Year.