New Year’s Resolutions Are Mostly Futile

By

Philip A. Rue

     The beginning of each year brings with a plethora of New Year’s Resolutions designed to improve one’s modus operandi.  Even though these promises are well intentioned, most will fall by the wayside in short order as the resolutioners return to their usual comfortable way of doing things.

     Resolutions address bad habits from innocent disobediences to sophisticated   sins.  The range is wide.  Since generally there is no set time to achieve the goal, such as April 1, or one’s birthday, the resolution timetable is irresolute and thus loses some of its potential.  But partial satisfaction is still a definite plus.

     In order to help the sorrowful penitent with the scope of since he may have committed, I list herein the so-called Seven Deadly Sins so he will know the names of his enemies.

     Alphabetically, the Seven Deadly Sins are Avarice, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Sloth and Wrath.  Powerful foes.

     A sinner could take Pride in his Gluttony, thus pairing two sins at one time.  He may also be guilty of Envy if he is jealous of another’s appearance, financial status, physical prowess, low blood pressure and his good-looking wife.

     Since he is not a Sloth-oriented fellow, he indulges in Wrath if he is accused of laziness.  The combinations could go on and on.  I will steer clear of Lust.

     Fortunately, most of the resolutions are not connected with the Seven Deadly Sins, but address instead minor violations, mild offenses, frustrating disobediences; and naughty misbehaviors which annoy the recipients of these acts, and which may cause a temporary rupture of relations with the family members, friends, and even employers.

     Quotes from resolution lists of young people include “I will clean my room; wash my hands before eating; obey my parents; write `thank you’  notes; observe curfew so my parents won’t worry; do my homework; be a careful driver; not eat like a slob.”

     Adults may resolve to “I will lose ten pounds this year; I will stop smoking; limit my drinking; remember birthdays and anniversaries; learn Spanish.”

     Most resolutions are intended to improve one’s self image, atone for misdeeds, and improve the quality of life.

     For the determined person resolutions may  result in new routines, but experience shows that most resolutions are not followed resolutely and within a month or so are completely forgotten.

     For some, newly established routines may become obsessions and perhaps damaging requiring another resolution the following year to correct that condition.

     In his “Book of Vices” author Robert J. Hutchinson spoofs the practitioners of virtue, those folks who will never need to write a New Year’s resolution.  He quotes Aristotle as saying that an excess of virtue is in itself a form of vice.

     According to Hutchinson, the virtuous jogger who is out every morning regardless  of the weather, even while on vacation, may need psychological help because he has turned a virtue into an obsession.  The jogger has apparently lost control of his original goal resolution.

     Most of the behaviors which New Year’s resolutions intend to correct may be forgiven by the recitation of Hail Marys, the number of which depends on the judgment of the listener.

     Write your resolutions; post them or your mirror with a copy on the refrigerator door.  Read and review them from time to time.  Feel the elation in your attitude as you overcome your former misdeeds and bad habits.

     As a framework for success you should use common sense, willpower, show sympathy to others, then adopt and use the IBM motto “THINK.”  You will be glad you did and your resolutions for 2001 will not have been futile.