New Year's Resolutions That Work
It's that time of year again. The time when we all promise to do lots of things that we really don't want to do or more accurately promise not to do things that we really love to do.
As the first of each year approaches we embrace the idea of New Year's resolutions with a confidence that suggests that this is, in fact, the first new year we've ever welcomed. Overeaters vow not to overeat. Spenders vow not to spend. Smokers vow not to smoke. And usually they don't (overeat, overspend or smoke at all) at least between midnight and the time they get up on January 1. From then on, all bets are off. I don't know the average date when the last New Year's resolution gets broken, but I am familiar with the average date the first resolution crumbles. Does January 1 have a familiar ring?
I don't like to brag but I haven't broken a New Year's resolution in years. Okay, for many years I didn't make any New Year's resolutions. But then a friend named Cheryl changed my life. All she did was mention that she felt her good health was based on her practice of sleeping eight hours every night. I took it from there. The result is a decade of unbroken New Year's resolutions. I haven't checked the Guinness Book of World Records but I feel pretty good about my track record. You can too.
To assist you, I list below some of the resolutions that have worked for me.
· Get more sleep.
This was the first resolution that I ever kept. Getting more sleep was such a success that I made the same vow two years in a row. But don't underestimate the commitment this resolution requires. Letterman or the Today Show. You have to choose. Think VCR. And, don't worry about your social life. Exemptions for special occasions are granted freely. CAUTION: Ignore zealots who want to attach some moral connotation to existing on minimal sleep or to rising early. They're just cranky because they aren't getting enough sleep.
· Eat more.
If like mine, most of your meals involve my car, a drive-through window and a lot of cellophane, this might be the resolution for you. Let me clarify immediately that this resolution doesn't call for more ice cream, potato chips and french fries. In order to minimize consumption of cupcakes that will remain edible long after Gibraltar tumbles, I vowed to eat more meals and bigger ones when I could. Much to my surprise I discovered that if you eat lunch and dinner you are less inclined to consume a bag of Pepperidge Farm cookies before bedtime. It's worth a try.
· Spend more time staring at the ocean.
Living in a waterfront home led to the realization that there is no limit to the amount of time I can spend staring at the water. I do have a genetic advantage. My father before me could spend countless hours gazing at the ocean. But even if your DNA doesn't predispose you to long afternoons of staring, you can do it. You might need practice to build up your time. And, if you don't live on the water you might have to take the extra step of finding a staring locale. I no longer have windows that overlook water but I have found accommodations from benches to restaurants that provide good staring spots. And this isn't something you have to do everyday. If you attach no strict quantitative restrictions to this pledge, this is one resolution you can keep.
· Pay attention to pop culture.
When you take a look at a talk show do you find that you have no idea who that is chatting with the host? Even worse, do you have no idea who that host is? Have you given up watching award shows because you can't recognize the winners let alone the presenters? When asked if Party A is dating Russell Crowe, do you find that you don't even know who Party A is? Do you hide the fact that you have no idea who Russell Crowe is? It's time to learn more about our pop culture. I know this one might sound a bit tough as if it will require more research than you are willing to put in. In order to make it more manageable, I've broken this resolution down into its basic components.
· Watch more TV.
Cable makes this resolution a lot easier to keep but hours of I Love Lucy reruns alone do not qualify. The objective is to recognize new faces. You have to watch the regular broadcast networks (there are at least four now, you know) as well as cable. To succeed at this resolution, you can't stop with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. You are going to have to check out the WB and UPN. You have to at least experience Court TV, the E Entertainment Network and Comedy Central. And, if you really want to have something to talk about at the next cocktail party you hit, shell out for HBO. Suddenly, a lot of those faces you don't recognize will look very familiar.
· See more movies.
As backup, I suggest reading movie reviews and watching one of the many entertainment magazine shows. But only as backup. To check off this resolution as accomplished, you have to visit the movie theatre. Not only will you learn who the new young Hollywood faces are, depending on the movie you pick you may hear new music, see fashionable clothes and hear trendy references. (NOTE: Renting more movies supports this resolution but films must be selected from the Current Releases shelves.)
· Read more magazines.
In truth, I could call this one read People Magazine. People provides you with most of the information you need for mainstream pop culture literacy. If you want to be a zealot, however, there are magazines that compete with People as well as titles devoted to every aspect of pop culture. Browse at your local shop.
· Surf the Web
You can't understand pop culture without knowing the Internet. I tend to log on, check my e-mail and log off. At least, I used to. To learn more about pop culture I now visit more websites on a regular basis and find new sites regularly. Use the Internet to keep your pop culture resolution. Every day linger a bit in cyberspace. Who knows what you'll find?
· Listen to more radio.
I found this resolution the hardest and will admit that I tend to spend a little too much time on NPR. Nonetheless, if you want to get a snapshot of our culture take a spin around the dial but don't use that phrase or you'll date yourself. What have you got to lose? You're in your car anyway. Pop out the CD. You'll not only hear new music you'll get an earful of where our culture has gone.
· Sing more often.
While you have that CD out, why not sing? Although singing makes me happy, my voice doesn't necessarily make others around me happy. Therefore, I chose my singing locales carefully. The car is a good setting. I try to learn a new song each week or so. I find retaining new lyrics works some brain muscles that appear to be on hiatus much of the time. (NOTE: You could vow to join a chorus or other singing group, but that seems like one of those resolutions that might be hard to keep. Don't overcommit.)
· Eat salmon every day.
With your doctor's permission, you can substitute your favorite food for salmon. I just happen to love salmon -- even though it is good for me. But I don't really think you need an excuse. Vow to taste your favorite food everyday. For those whose favorite food involves the phrase deep-fried, let me stress the word taste.
You don't have to attack all these resolutions at once that's asking for stress and inviting failure. Pick one and get started. I started with sleeping more. Somehow, it just made keeping all the other resolutions easier. Now I have to pick a resolution for 2002. I'm thinking about taking more naps. I'll let you know how it works out.
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