Resolutions
I confess...I dislike making new year's resolutions because I have such a hard time keeping them.
In 2007, I resolved to continue the weight loss I began in 2006 only to gain most of it back.
In 2008, I resolved to cook at home more to save calories AND save money only to continue going out at least once a week.
In 2009, I resolved to keep my house picked up -- especially my bathroom -- only to take my first trip of the year in late February and blow it once again.
Now as I approach 2010, I am faced again with the dilemma of making a resolution and trying to stick with it or skipping it all together. While Googling "resolution" I ran across the following quote by Benjamin Franklin: "Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
This quote puts the whole idea of making resolutions in a new light:
1)The first part is very clear -- do that which you should do. I don't have trouble doing what I'm supposed to do: go to work, care for my family, go to church, etc. Though some of those task are less enjoyable than others, I still manage to get them done. The quality to which they are done suffers at times (especially when it comes to housework) but I do what I should.
2) The second part -- if you say you'll do it, do it -- is what I think is difficult and certainly one that appears that others struggle with as well. Too often thousands of reputations are crippled by failing to do what they said they would do. I struggle often in following through with what I said I would do. It's not a moral dilemma but it certainly is a dilemma of character. How may times have I said, "I'll pray for you" only to forget the moment the words have left my lips and then guiltily remember the next time I see that person? My intentions are all good but my resolve is faulty.
So, my New Year's resolution? To "perform without fail" what I resolve. What's yours?
In 2007, I resolved to continue the weight loss I began in 2006 only to gain most of it back.
In 2008, I resolved to cook at home more to save calories AND save money only to continue going out at least once a week.
In 2009, I resolved to keep my house picked up -- especially my bathroom -- only to take my first trip of the year in late February and blow it once again.
Now as I approach 2010, I am faced again with the dilemma of making a resolution and trying to stick with it or skipping it all together. While Googling "resolution" I ran across the following quote by Benjamin Franklin: "Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
This quote puts the whole idea of making resolutions in a new light:
1)The first part is very clear -- do that which you should do. I don't have trouble doing what I'm supposed to do: go to work, care for my family, go to church, etc. Though some of those task are less enjoyable than others, I still manage to get them done. The quality to which they are done suffers at times (especially when it comes to housework) but I do what I should.
2) The second part -- if you say you'll do it, do it -- is what I think is difficult and certainly one that appears that others struggle with as well. Too often thousands of reputations are crippled by failing to do what they said they would do. I struggle often in following through with what I said I would do. It's not a moral dilemma but it certainly is a dilemma of character. How may times have I said, "I'll pray for you" only to forget the moment the words have left my lips and then guiltily remember the next time I see that person? My intentions are all good but my resolve is faulty.
So, my New Year's resolution? To "perform without fail" what I resolve. What's yours?
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