The last two months of each year are always my favorite. Filled with hot chocolate, a lot of layers, and the exchange of gifts. But after Christmas when the twinkling lights wind down and the Starbucks stops serving their holiday drinks, the countdown commences. No matter what you celebrate or believe in, a new year revives peoples’ faith of new beginnings. Starting fresh and believing in the possibility of literally turning a new page in one’s life that is better than the one before. I love how worldly this phenomenon is. After all the debates and debacles that can happen in 365 days, the whole world is ready to start a new. Even though the new year starts at different times, everyone wants to better themselves all at once.
Usually, to ensure that one can definitely better themselves every day of the year, a list is written down. This list is comprised of desired actions and because of the new year, there is a greater chance of these actions happening. The actions written down are called resolutions. A resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something. I know, I in the past, as well as many others, have had a resolution list comprised of things like exercise more, eat healthier, smile more, sleep more, and so on. Things that naturally make us better and create a better chance of living a happier life.
I believe this list of actions does nothing but remind us of what we have failed to do in years past. Many people will stick to their resolution for a month or two and then slowly but surely do it less and less until they’re back in the same slump as last year. Forcing them to rewrite the same resolutions that they didn’t follow through with. So instead of this vicious and unsuccessful cycle, I am only putting down one resolution. Be better. Intentionally vague so that it can be applied to every aspect of your life.
The problem with a list is that is forces you to want to check things off, instead of remembering to make it a part of your daily life, it’s seen more as a chore or errand. It only needs to be done once so you can make it through the list. You want to get through a list and not leave tasks uncompleted. By attempting to “be better,” there’s no list and the possibilities are endless. You can be a better student, friend, roommate, partner, and or just a better a person. To be these things, the smaller and more specific tasks you’ve always put on your resolution list can be incorporated into the bigger ones. So this year, I challenge you to be better. Don’t think about how to make 2016 great; focus on how to make yourself great and the year will follow by example.
