Dear Maggie Montclair,
I thought that I was being really smart this year, and instead of my usual list of New Year's resolutions, I made just one. I spent New year's Day picking up all the clutter, sorting through the papers on my desk and making file folders. I even dusted and vacuumed the whole house. I vowed to keep it that way. I am sad to report that as of the end of January, I have already reverted back to my old messy ways. Does anyone keep resolutions, and is it important anyway?
Messy in Montana
Dear Messy,
Yes, some people do keep very important resolutions. Resolutions that improve your health or relationships with others are worth the effort. Maybe we make things more difficult for ourselves because we think that just because we resolved to do something, it should be taken care of by the next day. We assume that if it is meant to be, it will be easy. Unfortunately, most of us don't find this to be true. Changing habits takes time and practice. Being aware is the first step. Practicing is the second. Hopefully, by December 31st, we will have succeeded in changing a behavior and be ready for another resolution. Don't try to change your whole personality overnight.
P.S. Gertie's aunt's neighbors best friend resolved to quit smoking. She threw away all of her expensive cigarettes. At noon on January 1st, she was at the gas station buying a pack. She decided to purchase off brands and only one pack at a time. Surprisingly, she found she enjoyed any brand. As long as she could smoke it, she liked it. She tried hypnosis. That worked for about a week. She tried the patches. The problem was putting them on. She didn't. Then she tried the gum. That hurt her teeth. She was afraid to try the pills. She had an excuse for every method known to modern science.
When December arrived, she had to admit she had failed. She was still a smoker after a year of struggle. When she faced that realization, something rang a bell and she understood that unless she was willing to suffer the withdrawl and say no to temptation every single time she wanted to smoke, she would never be able to quit.
So, on that cold, December day, she smoked her last cigarette. She got through the withdrawl, the cigarette smoking dreams (oh yes, she even dreamed about smoking), and inhaling the smoke of people standing outside buildings enjoying their breaks. She wanted to smoke for quite a while. But, she resisted and now is a non-smoker and doesn't even think about cigarettes anymore.
So, whether it's keeping your house cleaner, your yard maintained or your body slimmer and in better physical condition, don't give up if you have failed this first month of 2012. Keep at it. Keep at it. Keep at it. You can and will do it!!
