RESOLUTIONS (2)
Last week, I began to list my 2001 new year's resolutions. This week I finish my list, in the hope that publishing them will make it easier for me to keep them. I've already started to keep some of them and, as I hoped, I feel better for it.
4. I resolve to be nicer to myself. I want to take better care of myself, both physically and psychically. I can't help others if I don't stay strong myself.
5. I resolve to look for a single good quality in everyone I meet and try to find a way to strengthen that quality, to encourage using that good quality as a foundation for a better life. If everyone could appreciate his or her good qualities, they would find still other good qualities and improve their lives.
6. I resolve to treat everyone with kindness, even if they don't reciprocate. In a world that moves faster and faster, many people ignore those around them. I want to avoid that and seek opportunities to be kind, whether to checkout clerks, delivery personnel, co-workers, friends or family.
7. I resolve to avoid complaining, whether out loud or silently. I'm not a complainer by nature but I sometimes complain to myself. I want to avoid even thoughts of complaint.
8. I resolve to look positively at problems and setbacks. An early hero of mine always said that there are no problems, only opportunities. I want to bring that spirit to everything I do, whether at work or play.
9. I resolve to devote more time to learning, both from reading and from experiencing. At a certain age, we often think we have the answers, that we've learned enough. I don't want to fall into that way of thinking. I've learned as much from watching children interact as I've learned from books, I've been inspired by watching others behave courageously, I've gained insight from the worst performances. I want to continue and expand my learning.
10. I resolve to look for fun in every situation. Too often, we all fall into the habit of segmenting our lives into work and play, duty and pleasure, seriousness and fun. I want to blur these lines and try to have fun in every situation. Remember, serious does not mean grim.
From time to time over the next months, I'll return to these resolutions and report on my progress, describe expansions and refinements of these resolutions, tell you what I've learned.
(1-8-01)