New Year's Resolution

New Year’s Resolutions are sometimes tough to keep, don’t you think? I’ve normally tried to make a New Year’s resolution that was within reach because I hate to make a promise that I can’t keep, even if it’s to myself. As I started to think what I could make my resolution this year, I decided to go with a quote for my inspiration.

I love quotes ~ they inspire me, sometimes can comfort me to tackle the situation or goal to achieve. I could have gone with two of my favorites which are in my email tag lines, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” (Gandhi) and “Maybe I've been put on earth to be an ordinary person. Not to do anything great, but to do something small that involves great love,” (Anonymous). But they didn’t give me the depth I needed for a new year, a new decade resolution. I decided to go with one of my favorites from Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ for me, it can’t be said any better than this:

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think about all that this quote encompasses, broken down, every part of this is attainable and it can be done in a Grand Way! The first half, it’s fluff so to speak, sometimes it’s tough accomplish – but it is not impossible. The second part, now that’s something to strive for!

My friends and family, I don’t often challenge or dare you – I typically keep dares to my brother and my kids – but I dare you, triple-dog-dare you, and then I challenge you … make a difference. Make a resolution this year that can make a difference in someone’s or something’s life. Maybe you're dedicated to helping out at a pet shelter, donating or organizing a drive for the SPCA; maybe you'll organize and plant/work with a Community Garden that feeds people in your community ~ or work on a food drive; maybe you are organizing or being part of a larger organization that raises money for organizations like the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Diabetes or the Kidney Foundation; be a big brother/sister or be a host family; clean-up your community; volunteer at the hospital or senior center. Look around your community and schools – think of what you can do to help.

I have an amazing family and an extraordinary group of friends who do outstanding and extraordinary things in our communities ~ let’s make this year and this decade just a little bit better. I dare you.