Begin with the end in mind

Lauren Owens, Staff Writer

The beginning of a new year brings on a plethora of new agendas, goals and resolutions.  However, many people never fully commit to completing their New Year’s resolution.  Thus, failing before they even truly have the chance to begin.  We are all guilty of creating an elaborate New Year’s resolution that, if followed, will create a new person within us, but falling short of completion.  Out of curiosity, I researched the most common New Year’s resolutions of 2014.

One resolution that seemed to stand out is any variation of getting healthy.  After the fattening holiday season, losing any excess pounds gained seems like the wise thing to do.  Hence, the most common new year’s resolution is the infamous, “During this new year, I want to lose weight.”  If any person decides to visit a gym during the January, the entire place will be packed.  By the time June comes, most people will have forgotten about their once held gym membership.

I honestly do not think this happens because people are not strong enough to remain faithful to their resolutions.  Instead, this happens because of the busy lifestyle the twenty-first century imposes.  We all have jobs, school, family and other obligations that tie us up to the point where newly made resolutions are the last thought on our minds.

Other popular New Year’s resolutions of Americans ranged from going back to college, drinking less, volunteering more, quitting smoking, traveling, etc.  All of these resolutions exude the heart of what a New Year’s resolution is about: using a new year to create a new, better you.  New Year’s resolutions are good in theory, but the practicalities of following through on a resolution are slim to none.  Becoming a new person takes a change of heart and dedication to the end result.

Honestly, making a resolution at the beginning of a new year doesn’t really work for me.  I start off with good intentions on getting more in shape or making better grades in school, and then I get bored with the work to make the resolution happen successfully.  It’s not that I do not have the willpower or drive to complete a resolution, but the spring time always ushers in a season of business and a loaded agenda.  For me New Year’s resolutions very seldom work.

The best way to successfully make a New Year’s resolution is to make sure you aren’t making an unattainable goal and make up your mind to finish what you started.  Finally, if you are going to make a New Year’s resolution, then stop making excuses to not follow through with it.  With that being said, I will have a resolution: I will enjoy each moment of life and I will live with vivacity and love starting one day at a time.