Sparklers

First, how can you tell that you have entered a new year?  Perhaps…

Surplus of weight loss commercials promising amazing results.
All the local gyms are offering fantastic deals.
MY University of Alabama football lost their playoff game to Ohio State. (a worthy opponent).
Drop in temperatures and rise in RAIN and SNOW.
You’re reading this.

I’m not declaring war on New Year resolutions. They help a lot of people – some for a day, a week, a month and a lifetime. January One is indeed a good time for reflection. It is a time to determine what we need to do in order to be healthy, wealthy and wise. It is a time to formulate a plan to insure happiness.

How? What?

Each person gets to make their own choice – how good is that! Here are some examples to help you as you reflect..

Most Popular…

Lose Weight
Volunteer to Help Others
Quit Smoking
Get a Better Education
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Eat Healthy Food
Manage Stress
Manage Debt
Take a Trip
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Drink Less Alcohol

Let’s look to what was…

 Famous

In 1699, at the age of 32, Jonathan Swift — best-known as the author of Gulliver’s Travels — compiled a list of aspirations for his future (copy of his writing these below), focusing on wisdom, humility, patience and justice.

When I Come To Be Old
Not to marry a young woman.
Not to keep young company unless they really desire it.
Not to be peevish or morose, or suspicious.
Not to scorn present ways, or wits, or fashions, or men, or war, etc.
Not to be fond of children, or let them come near me hardly.
Not to tell the same story over and over to the same People.
Not to be covetous.
Not to neglect decency, or cleanliness, for fear of falling into nastiness.
Not to be over severe with young people, but give allowances for their youthful follies and
weaknesses.
Not to be influenced by, or give ear to knavish tattling servants, or others.
Not to be too free of advice, nor trouble any but those that desire it.
To desire some good friends to inform me which of these resolutions I break, or neglect, and wherein;
and reform accordingly.
Not to talk much, nor of myself.
Not to boast of my former beauty, or strength, or favor with ladies, etc.
Not to hearken to flatteries
Not to set up for observing all these rules; for fear I should observe none.

from brainpickings.com

Now to what is…

A New Year’s Day Prayer for One and All…
Dear Lord,
So far this year I’ve done well.
I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help.
Amen

Now to the seemingly impossible…

New Year’s Resolutions by Teddie  (He and I wrote ours together)

I will not bark each time I see or hear a dog on TV.
I will not beg with the most adorable look on my face.
I will not chew Kleenex, napkins or paper of any kind and then blame it on the other dog.(Teddie is an
only dog).
I will not roll my toys behind the fridge.
I must shake the rainwater out of my coat BEFORE I enter the house.

To mine…

I choose to pray that I will be present, this very moment, in order to make my choices with grace, each and every day.

–Linda Breeden