I hope Not too late to be resolute.
If you read this column regularly you know I’m not much on new years resolutions. I’ve just never had much luck with ‘em and don’t know many other folks who have either. In fact most years lately, I’m vaguely surprised (and grateful) to simply be here, seein’ another year arrive. Kinda figurin’ since I’m still here, maybe I’m doin something right (bein’ lucky). Or I’d have dropped out long ago.
But lotsa folks really get into resolutions.
I guess everybody’s gotta believe in “something”? And I ‘spose they’re the best some folks can come up with? Maybe makin’ up your own lists of “gonna be” accomplishments, is as good a startin’ point as some others I’ve encountered over the years?
Oh, and yes, I realize a few folks have probly lost a pound here and there (permanently?). Some few others might’ve quit smoking (lots more tried). Too bad from here on out they’ll spend the rest of their days wanting to smoke and fightin’ the urge. But the numbers of successful ones in either endeavor hasn’t been all that great.
If so, it would likely have resulted in renaming the first day of the year? If millions had ever actually been successful startin (stoppin’?) on that particular day, quit smokin’ and (Or?) gittin’ fat? We’d likely be calling it something like (Happy) “Fatbegone Day” or “Beautibony Day”, maybe “Nicaban Day” or “Cigbegone Day”.
But, like most (all?) of the silly resolutions people have dreamed up over the years? The dreamin’s ever so much more successful (easy) than the actual doin’! That includes all the regular And the extracurricular resolutions. Including, but not limited to: Exercise more, eat better, get healthier..., Oh! and live longer! Be a nicer person, volunteer, help others, (if you need to say “more” yer already a failure). Do more, be more, get more! Save the Earth! Save the Whales! Make Love not War! (some do sound better than others!).
I just don’t buy it. I don’t see where an artificial number rolling over on a calendar, computer or counter of any type, will affect human (or any other kind of) behavior.
Good folks have an equal chance to keep bein’ (or doin’) good. Bad folks are probly gonna stay bad. Habits that were successfully practiced on that final last day of December, and the previous day, month (and years!), will be no more or less likely to go on or disappear than they will be on the second day of the year..., or any other day!
But just like (most of) you, I can’t help kinda hopin’..., ya know?
I hope people will improve as humans. I hope some of ‘em will get healthier, slimmer, smarter, nicer, smell better. Heck, I even hope some of those particular ones will live a little longer. I hope some sick folks recover. I even hope a few of the ones wishin’ to get rich..., get closer to it (and me).
I do hope (and believe) things can be changed. I just can’t muster up any faith in the setting out of “resolutions” causing those changes. Things (and people) can be changed by people doing things. Not by making a resolution, nor by wishing for it, not even hoping for it.
I believe only two things can actually influence or change people or things (good or bad). Actions and Prayer.
This year, it is my intention to continue to practice both.
You’ve seen and hopefully (no pun intended) will continue to see through this column (long as I manage to keep writing it?) part of the “action”. Other actions may be accomplished off camera (“out of print”?). But I’ll endeavor to continue to do my little part, nonetheless.
Those praying parts? Well, they take place most any time. And though I know I’m in good company with this part? These days I also know there are a lot of people (?) around the world praying prayers diametrically opposed to mine.
So if you’re one among the many doing your praying part? I do hope (lots of “hope” in this column) you’re praying (or start!) for some of the same things as yours truly. Especially my most fervent prayer. An end to the wars we’ve gotten dragged into!
Sure, I realize these wars may outlive me. And I fear they’re going to grow into more and wider wars before they end. Still, there is always hope.
I Don’t Know About You..., I’ll be Hoping, Acting And praying, for wars end. In this, I’ll be resolute.
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder may still be found three stools down. Or At: calteeple@gmail.com And At: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Though he may be saying prayers at the time, he may still be ignored, contacted or accosted in all three places.
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I hope Not too late to be resolute.
If you read this column regularly you know I’m not much on new years resolutions. I’ve just never had much luck with ‘em and don’t know many other folks who have either. In fact most years lately, I’m vaguely surprised (and grateful) to simply be here, seein’ another year arrive. Kinda figurin’ since I’m still here, maybe I’m doin something right (bein’ lucky). Or I’d have dropped out long ago.
But lotsa folks really get into resolutions.
I guess everybody’s gotta believe in “something”? And I ‘spose they’re the best some folks can come up with? Maybe makin’ up your own lists of “gonna be” accomplishments, is as good a startin’ point as some others I’ve encountered over the years?
Oh, and yes, I realize a few folks have probly lost a pound here and there (permanently?). Some few others might’ve quit smoking (lots more tried). Too bad from here on out they’ll spend the rest of their days wanting to smoke and fightin’ the urge. But the numbers of successful ones in either endeavor hasn’t been all that great.
If so, it would likely have resulted in renaming the first day of the year? If millions had ever actually been successful startin (stoppin’?) on that particular day, quit smokin’ and (Or?) gittin’ fat? We’d likely be calling it something like (Happy) “Fatbegone Day” or “Beautibony Day”, maybe “Nicaban Day” or “Cigbegone Day”.
But, like most (all?) of the silly resolutions people have dreamed up over the years? The dreamin’s ever so much more successful (easy) than the actual doin’! That includes all the regular And the extracurricular resolutions. Including, but not limited to: Exercise more, eat better, get healthier..., Oh! and live longer! Be a nicer person, volunteer, help others, (if you need to say “more” yer already a failure). Do more, be more, get more! Save the Earth! Save the Whales! Make Love not War! (some do sound better than others!).
I just don’t buy it. I don’t see where an artificial number rolling over on a calendar, computer or counter of any type, will affect human (or any other kind of) behavior.
Good folks have an equal chance to keep bein’ (or doin’) good. Bad folks are probly gonna stay bad. Habits that were successfully practiced on that final last day of December, and the previous day, month (and years!), will be no more or less likely to go on or disappear than they will be on the second day of the year..., or any other day!
But just like (most of) you, I can’t help kinda hopin’..., ya know?
I hope people will improve as humans. I hope some of ‘em will get healthier, slimmer, smarter, nicer, smell better. Heck, I even hope some of those particular ones will live a little longer. I hope some sick folks recover. I even hope a few of the ones wishin’ to get rich..., get closer to it (and me).
I do hope (and believe) things can be changed. I just can’t muster up any faith in the setting out of “resolutions” causing those changes. Things (and people) can be changed by people doing things. Not by making a resolution, nor by wishing for it, not even hoping for it.
I believe only two things can actually influence or change people or things (good or bad). Actions and Prayer.
This year, it is my intention to continue to practice both.
You’ve seen and hopefully (no pun intended) will continue to see through this column (long as I manage to keep writing it?) part of the “action”. Other actions may be accomplished off camera (“out of print”?). But I’ll endeavor to continue to do my little part, nonetheless.
Those praying parts? Well, they take place most any time. And though I know I’m in good company with this part? These days I also know there are a lot of people (?) around the world praying prayers diametrically opposed to mine.
So if you’re one among the many doing your praying part? I do hope (lots of “hope” in this column) you’re praying (or start!) for some of the same things as yours truly. Especially my most fervent prayer. An end to the wars we’ve gotten dragged into!
Sure, I realize these wars may outlive me. And I fear they’re going to grow into more and wider wars before they end. Still, there is always hope.
I Don’t Know About You..., I’ll be Hoping, Acting And praying, for wars end. In this, I’ll be resolute.
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder may still be found three stools down. Or At: calteeple@gmail.com And At: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Though he may be saying prayers at the time, he may still be ignored, contacted or accosted in all three places.
