Okay, a lot of people have changed from saying they are making New Year’s resolutions to saying they are making goals for 2020. I was not getting the difference myself, really. I mean, either way, you are saying you are going to change your ways and create new habits or break old habits. It’s about starting or stopping certain behaviors. Well, someone explained to me that a resolution is saying, “I am going to lose weight this year.” A goal is saying, “I will lose 20 pounds by this time next year.” To me it’s all a matter of semantics, although, I suppose, it’s valid in a case like that. That particular point is moot anyway because my family has already decided on that goal for me, along with a strict dietary plan. Well, the last time they did this to me I lost 40+ pounds, so we’ll see what happens this year.
The whole idea behind New Year’s Resolutions is that you are making a conscious decision to change a habit or start a new habit or both and the first day of a new year is a good, measurable starting place. I think I prefer the term “New Year’s Resolution” because it isn’t as painful if it doesn’t work. “I broke one of my New Year’s resolutions,” sounds a lot better than, “I failed to meet my goals.” Either way you’re a failure, but the one way stings less. And not only that, there is something about the way it sounds when you say, “Be it hereby resolved…”
“So, Herb,” You say, “What are you actually going to do?”
“Well,” I reply, “I’m glad you asked me that question.”
Actually, I have several things that I plan to accomplish this year.
The Resolution
“Be it hereby resolved that in the two thousand- and twentieth-year, Anno Domini, that I, Herbert Thiel, shall accomplish the following:”
1) I am going to read the entire Bible through again this year. This is something I have done for the last several years, sometimes reading it through two or three times. I use the Bible app from Youversion.com to find reading plans and compare different versions. You can also join friends and make each other accountable.
2) I shall, as stated above, lose a minimum of twenty pounds.
3) I am going to continue posting to this blog every single day. In addition, I am going to start a new habit.
4) I am going to write in my new journal every day as well.
5) Another plan I have is to finish the courses I have started on Udemy.com I have three main classes I want to complete. One is a web development course; one is a Spanish course and one is a Beekeeping class. I’m not sure why I signed up for that last one. I think it’s because I have always been fascinated by honeybees and how it all works. If you look at using Udemy, try to wait for a sale. You can pick up some good deals on classes.
6) Finally, I am going to have my wife create a planner system that will work for me and my poor memory.
Thus endeth my declaration of resolve.
And remember, as it gets to be 11:59 on New Year’s Eve, pick up your left leg. That way you can start off the New Year on the right foot.
Haha