There are basically two camps when it comes to New Year's resolutions: Those who make them and those who don't.
I've long been a devoted resolver. But now, with just days before 2013 dawns, I'm reconsidering.
Not because I have given up hope. And certainly not because I need no improvement.
Fact is, I make resolutions all the time. Probably every day. Several times a day, even.
I even make them in the dead of night, though these ideas rarely seem so brilliant by light of day.
Now, some people might say I am too hard on myself. I prefer to think that I am optimistic enough to believe it's always possible to do better.
But I can be inconsistent.
I resolve to lose these last 10 pounds. I resolve not to obsess about these last 10 pounds.
I resolve to run more. I resolve to protect my joints with low-impact aerobics.
I resolve to volunteer more. To relax more.
I resolve to get up earlier to do my graduate school homework. To go to the gym. Walk the dog. Get to the office earlier. And do something with the yard.
I resolve to stay up later to see or call family and friends. To read good books.
And I resolve to sleep more.
Perhaps you are shaking your head, thinking that I need to stop making so many resolutions.
You are, of course, correct. In fact, I would like to resolve to be more like you.
But honestly, I don't think I can. Some of us are just hard-wired to strive.
It might even be genetic.
Last week, I was in Boston for a long-overdue visit with my favorite aunt and cousins (Yes! A resolution fulfilled!).
My cousin Beth confided that she awoke at 3:30 a.m., concerned that because she had made a wrong turn while we were out the previous evening, I must think her a terrible driver.
I burst out laughing. Not at my smart, beautiful, kind cousin who is the furthest thing from terrible at driving or anything else.
I laughed because I instantly recognized my own behavior. How many times have I snapped awake, pondering some real or imagined misdeed and planning ways to make it right?
We both had a good laugh. And immediately resolved to keep in closer touch with each other.
And that is a resolution I will be glad to keep.
Charlotte Sutton I Health and medicine editor
Terry Tomalin I Outdoors/fitness editor
Brittany Volk I Designer
Scott Keeler I Cover photo, styling by Brittany Volk
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