It’s now well
after New Year’s Day, so you’ve had plenty of time to make (and now break)
those resolutions.
No big deal.
We run into the
Resolution Regulars every year at athletic clubs across our nation. They’re packed
during the first week after New Year’s, filled with people who’ve vowed to work
out more regularly and get in shape. By the time the second week rolls around,
their numbers already have started to thin (their bodies are another thing
entirely). And by February, the crowds will be just about back to normal.
Blame the
younger, less experienced resolution makers for that. By the time people make
my age – and, Boomers, yours as well – we’ve tended to learn that it’s better
to be realistic. We know ourselves, our weaknesses, our limitations. We’re wise
enough to not promise something that can’t be delivered.
As a result, our
resolutions – if we make any at all – are simpler and more direct. In my case,
I’ve only added one additional set of 10 repetitions to my free-weight workout
schedule this year. If I don’t die, I may add 10 more next year.
That’s it. No big
vows to accomplish something truly memorable (bringing about world peace, say)
or promising to cut out something (like sweets) from my diet.
Instead, I may
think about ways to make the world better this year (no promises, though). I
may even try to put some of my ideas into practice (on a small scale, but again
no promises). And I’m not cutting anything out of my diet – or my life. I’ll
eat, or try, or do, just about everything. But everything in moderation
(sweets, coffee, booze, health food, fruits, tofu, foie gras, workouts – the
works).
Repeat:
Everything in moderation.
That’s a
resolution I can keep.
I'm going to try to follow your advice, about "taking it easy on resolutions", and "relaxing" on deadlines that don't matter too much, and on looking forward to what's coming up. Seems pretty simple, but I don't do it enough, and the results can be monumental--living longer and being happier. I'm in favor of this.
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