Cheers and Jeers: Jan. 1, 2024

Jan. 1—CHEERS to people who compose and adopt New Year's resolutions. And, still more to the point, to try to adhere to them.

New Year's resolutions have long been one of humankind's greatest follies. Despite all the energy and commitment that accompanies a resolution leading up to Jan. 1, most of us know that by July 1, it will be long forgotten and have accomplished little or nothing.

Not many of us put a lot of stock in resolutions, and probably for good reason. Most don't make it past the last snowfall of the new year.

But what if they did? What if the resolvers stuck by their stated determination and actually changed the lives of themselves and anyone else affected by their intention? Wouldn't that all be worth the effort?

Here's an example:

What if a notorious grump vowed to spend 2024 being tolerant, accepting, generous and gregarious? Think of all the pleasant moments that would replace the obnoxious encounters that have been an expected part of lives surrounding the grump.

What if somebody stingy promised to spread some cash around to charitable causes that help others?

Wouldn't the world in which those people circulated be a more accommodating place to be? Wouldn't those charitable causes be positioned to make their communities healthier and generally better off?

Many resolutions, of course, assail personal physical problems, such as being overweight. Those resolutions have a noted history of not lasting long enough to achieve their goals. And, even if they do achieve them, they too often weaken so that the goal line is breached in the wrong direction eventually.

The resolver thus gives back the success already achieved, forfeiting the healthy gains recorded with such difficulty. That often makes for a somewhat grouchy person to be around.

Wouldn't that person be better company if able to certify the gains and wear them proudly?

And the newly attained health progress would actually benefit the entire community, in a way. Expensive eventual health care could be avoided, and we'd all realize a benefit from that.

Resolutions and the gains they can provide are only cemented by determination and discipline. That determination and discipline grow with each level of success.

Quitting smoking, quitting over-snacking, over-drinking are not easy. But, the longer the trial goes on with success, the stronger the resolve and, actually, the easier the struggle becomes.

We can "get used" to doing without the more we do without. As time goes on, we think less about the drudgery we've gone through to get where we are. Before you know it, the addiction is gone.

That may be an oversimplification of the process, but it is essentially true.

So, no matter what the personal issue is, give a resolution a try. And approach it with a sturdy determination. The longer you bask in success, the easier it will become — and more satisfying.

It was a great idea to begin with. Achieving it will be even better.

E-mail: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Twitter: @jlotemplio