One New Year’s resolution that I fully intend to keep

As I sit down to write this, I note that just five more days and it will be 2026. A new year, a new leaf. What am I, and what are you, going to do with a clean slate before us?

There are things over which we have no control — except at the ballot box.  But what we do with the 365 “new” days that are before us is almost entirely up to us.

We can hold on to grievances, hard feelings, gripes or complaints — or we can try to put our lives on a positive path.  While I never make New Year’s resolutions, I am breaking that this year.  My goal is to be more patient, not only with those I love but with myself.  To make an effort to be “kinder and more gentle” in my words and actions.

I decided that each week I would pick a “new word” for an attribute I was going to practice for an entire week. For instance, optimism.  It took some effort, but I forced myself when my thoughts would turn dour or sad, I stopped immediately, gave myself an imaginary kick in the rear, and got back on track.

I was amazed at all my sudden negative thoughts that would pop into my head, and the dark clouds that would gather.

It took a few weeks, but I learned that if I concentrated, negative or sad thoughts could be controlled if I just remembered the “verbal attitude” I had chosen to maintain for those 24 hours.

It didn’t work 100 percent, but I discovered that my attitude had changed.  I didn’t linger on sad, angry thoughts — I substituted good thoughts in their place, and then despite everything, my day became much more enjoyable. I was more productive — and yes, my house was cleaner. I was keeping busy, even though with “not necessary” chores, you don’t have time for negative, self-centered gripes and complaints

So, as I said previously, my resolution is to pick a new work at least every week and strive to live up to the meaning of that word.

I know that I, and you, cannot change the “warring factions” going on daily.  

We cannot control the spewing words of hatred, blame, etc., that are banished daily.  But we can change the “slings and arrows” that plague us in our own world.

We can smile more often, call our neighbors more often, pray for those who are facing difficult circumstances, and reach out to others who are facing difficulties, tragedies and heartaches.

We can change our attitudes, prejudices, biases. We can smile more.

This being “kinder and gentler” is my first New Year’s resolution ever.  And it’s one I intend to keep — all year long.