New year, new me. We say it every iteration of annual "reset", either publicly, plastered over social media for all the world to see, or under our breath, with some type of discreet, more subtle determination. As exuberant or stolid as our intentions may first be, resolutions too oft fade into goals we set aside for another week, another month, another year.

The previous year, 2017, was not an unkind one but did teach me more than I had bargained for upon the Autumn months' arrival. This knowledge, undesired yet greatly appreciated just the same, has provided for me a prospect for 2018, a hope surpassing expectation, drawing nearer to necessity.

See, change can be a good thing. The best change, as I have learned, however, comes from within.

I promise this article is not some yogi mumbo jumbo--not to say I am not a fan of such wordage--but instead a call to action... a call to... well, call. If you're like me, or pretty much anyone else with a smartphone, you're practically glued to a screen from the time you wake up until you play chicken with it, seeing if your eyes shut before its screen goes black.

Texting certainly has its advantages. I mean, there's poop emojis. How else am I going to disapprovingly provide non-verbal commentary on my friend's attempt at humor? Fecal matter with eyes aside, texting rose in popularity because of its convenience--and also for the lack of human interaction.

That being said, what I am about to say might blow your mind. I'll wait while you grab some napkins.

Ready?

Good.

Close your messenger app. Click that little button with a picture of a phone on it--google older models of phones if no familiar image is present--and give someone a call. It may seem like a hassle; it may take up a bit more of your time than a text would, but I promise it will be worth it.

A simple phone call can brighten someone's day. Is it your father's birthday? Call him. Have a friend going through a rough breakup? Call her. Do you know your grandparent is sitting all alone watching the same Bonanza rerun they've seen at least thirteen times now? You get the picture.

It's personable, it's intimate, it's PhoneCall. Still working on the copyright for that.

Really, though. For me, this year is going to focus on communications and connections, reaching out to people in my life and letting them know how important they are to me. I want to be present, but when I can't, I want to be able to say I've put in plenty of effort into an interaction.

I used to hate calling and saying goodnight. I was lazy. That's the truth whether I like it or not. Sometimes it takes a wake-up in the form of a breakup to realize the importance that simple action holds. Sure, a text with a smiley face or a heart emoji is all well and good, but nothing compares to hearing the sincerity in a partner or family member's voice.

The other great thing about talking to someone on the phone is that you receive an answer to a question immediately. Texting? Not so much. People work or have busy lives that don't revolve around the device in their pocket. They might not have time enough to respond until later. Sometimes it takes a ringing phone to recognize how time-sensitive certain communications may be.

Maybe you're already the type of person to pick up the phone and dial instead of hammering away at those tiny, fingerprint-smeared keys. I know I'm not. But I could be. And so could you.

Whether it's making your life a little easier and knowing what your roommate wants on his pizza before you reach the counter or simply making someone's day, a phone call is a valuable thing and it's about time we returned to the year 2000 and remembered that.

Maybe you're at college, hundreds of miles away from your parents. Be like E.T. and phone home.

OK, I'm out of dad jokes. Cheers and have a great 2018!