What exactly is a resolution to you?
I think it’s a set of goals and dreams that will never fully be accomplished throughout the whole year.
Whether it’s a simple resolution like getting better friends or a more tactical promise like losing weight and eating healthy, most people just seem to focus on resolutions for the first few months of the new year, then discarded them.
Every year I have created resolutions I said I was going to keep in order to mold myself into a better person, but like so many others before me, I failed to keep them.
In 2005 I said I was going to stay in shape, but I ended up gaining the freshman 15. In 2006 I said I was going to be more independent, but I ended up getting towed twice and obtaining tickets I depended on my father to pay.
But a new year has come.
One of my resolutions for 2007 is to stop complaining. I spent most of 2006 whining. I complained about my grades, when in fact if I had studied, I wouldn’t have had so many problems. I even complained for my friends’ problems.
I came to the decision not to complain in 2007 because I noticed that life is too short to be living negatively. Plain and simple, people don’t want to hear someone speaking who always has something negative to talk about.
In order to keep this resolution, my friends and I have decided to put 25 cents in a jar if we break our resolutions. I am hopeful the money factor will further help me stick to my commitment.
In addition to that goal, I want to become more in touch with the Lord by reading my Bible more. With God involved in my life, I know I can destroy any obstacles in my way of succeeding in life.
According to an article on http://www.prnewsnow.com, Stephen Shapiro, president of Goalfree.com, conducted a study that found only 8 percent of Americans say they always achieve their New Year’s resolutions.
According to the study, the setting of New Year’s resolutions in America falls with age. It is said that 57 percent of people ages 18-24 set resolutions, compared to only 32 percent of people older than age 54.
The study also focused on the top two resolutions. Thirty-eight percent of people said they will set a New Year’s resolution related to their waistline, and 47 percent of people said they will set a resolution related to self-improvement.
While some people are able to follow through with their promises, others fall short.
But when it starts to become difficult to keep your commitment, just remember that a resolution was made because you found a need to improve yourself. Who knows, that resolution may be just the push you need to become a better you.
Latasha Edwards is a sophomore public relations student from Houston. She can be reached at lakers3482001@yahoo.com.