I know it’s late for New Years,
but I’m coming into a “New Year” of my life :P (And Chinese New Year is still
coming up). But I’d like to share with you my thoughts about New Year’s Resolutions. I orginally
wrote this on January 7, 2014. Enjoy! :D
If you'd like to know, I decided NOT to make any resolutions
for the new year.
I find the tradition empty and easy to break. If it were
more important, we would call the day "New Year's Resolution Day."
One reason why I think New Year's resolutions don't work is
because the New Year is too little a reason to motivate you.
The New Year is like a canvas. It's pure. It's clean. It's a new slate. But you can toss it to the side. Put a cloth over it. Forget it.
What you need are paints, pencils, pens... Anything you can
use to make that canvas come to life! Without them, the canvas is empty.
Last year, I decided to pick up the books in my home, put
them in a list, and spend each night reading them one by one.
Last year, I decided to revive my blog and practice my
writing. I've been using my cellphone to write new essays, and it even gets
difficult navigating through the folders.
Last year, I decided to re-evaluate my friendships and spend
more time with family. It doesn't make me very happy, but I'm enjoying the time
I spend with my parents, my siblings, and those who are really close to me.
All of these could count as New Year's resolutions.
But I consider them "current projects." I don't
see this as a one year thing. I see these as long-term investments.
Even if I fail to follow them for a day, I don't make the
excuse of "I'll just have to wait next year to try again." I can just
brush it off and try again tomorrow-- maybe even before then!
I'm not saying, "Don't change anything." I'm
saying, "Put some backbone in what you're doing!"
Put some thought into what you're doing. Think about what
you need to accomplish your goal. Accept when you fail. And hope for your
eventual success.
A resolution is a firm decision. Make it so.