New Year! New You?

At the dawning of each new year, I make a New Year's Resolution. It is typically the same, to loose weight and exercise more, maybe the occasional get organized. I never really thought about it before until now, but I have no idea why I make these resolutions year in and year out.

Obviously, the resolutions are made so that I can improve upon who I am. A fresh year, a fresh start. However, I always seem to fail or get off track. But you know, that is OK because there is always next year. So On Dec. 31st, I make the list and start all over again. I know full well that though I want to make these changes, I will not put forth the full effort because deep down I know there is always next year. A new year is all about second chances, or third, fourth, 30th chances depending on the number of times you have made the same resolution.

A wonderful concept and all, but New Year's Resolutions are nothing more than preconceived failures. Each year I may have the intention to stick with the pledge I make to myself; however, I lack the conviction -- and so do most Americans considering the number of gym memberships that go unused before Valentine's Day even hits.

If we truly wanted to make changes in our lives for the better, than we would and not use the guise of a new year to be our safety net. I know I need to eat better and exercise more. So when I get off track a few months into the new year, why don't I get back on track. Rather, I him-haw around it and wait until December to think about implementing those changes again.

Do I feel bad because I did not accomplish what I set to do January? For the first few weeks of failure. But I realize it is OK, because most people do not stick to those resolutions. It has become acceptable behavior to not reach goals as long as they are tagged with New Year's Resolution. In this Prozac world, we could not live with the depression that comes from setting a goal and not accomplishing it. I mean, it is the failure that makes you feel bad, so to avoid the blame and shame of failure, we put our goals into this fail-safe concept of New Year's Resolutions, because as I have I stated, there is always next year. So, our fragile mental state will not be hurt because we do not fail when we have a back up plan.

If I really had the conviction to make those changes in my life, I would have done it already, despite what the day is. Though I will try like countless others to make a change for the good this brand new 2007, I know I will not succeed. But rather than wait until next year to try again, I will refocus and put forth effort some other day. June 18th feels like a good date.