To start going to church or praying more at home?
To quit smoking, to cut down smoking or go to electronic cigarettes?
To stop cussing completely or to be more selective of the audience?
To continue to be your anti-social grumpy old self or to try being nicer to others?
To quit drinking or cut down on the alcohol consumed?
To keep that pedal to the metal or slow down a bit?
These are all topics discussed by individuals or possibly even groups each year as to whether or not they should become New Year’s resolutions.
Is it easier to quit eating certain foods to lose weight or is it easier to start doing something else like getting more exercise?
Hey guys, what about watching less football and doing things with the wife on occasion?
What about hunting a couple fewer days?
What about spending less money on “my stuff?”
Watch less football? Yikes!
Hey ladies, what about letting hubby out for a poker night once in a while?
Or maybe let him out once a month for boys’ night?
How about fewer chores on the weekend, so he can enjoy weekends too?
The possibilities for New Year’s resolutions are endless, and they can take any number of forms on how to go about succeeding.
But the one thing I have learned over the years is that if the heart isn’t into making a change become reality, there really isn’t much of a chance of success.
Many times I have made the New Year’s resolution to quit smoking. I was really into getting it done. I somewhat succeeded.
I have quite seven times for at least two weeks and once for a month.
I have succeeded in lowering my intake from two packs a day to just fewer than one pack a day. And I have started using my electronic cigarette more and more.
But that final quitting? It’s just darned tough.
I also need to lose a few pounds.
I recognized this about eight years ago, when I quit playing golf every day due to a job change and gained about 80 pounds in that first six months because I was tied to a desk from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
My first solution to not breaking New Year’s resolutions was to make a resolution such as, “I am not going to make any more resolutions.” That worked only as far as the resolutions went.
But it didn’t make me feel, look or behave any better.
I would recommend making a resolution or two that you believe you can keep.
If you can quit smoking, quit eating so much, quit frying everything you eat and getting a bit more exercise, then more power to you and good luck.
But making less severe resolutions like being more patient, being more upbeat, having some fun with others, treating folks in a more-kind way or cutting back or eliminating the curse words will, I believe, make you happier and more fun to be around.
Whatever you decide, try to make a change or two as we approach the new year. Experts everywhere say the two best days to begin new improvement resolutions are New Year’s Day and your birthday.
Both are kind of a time of renewal, and both give you a clear timetable as to your success.
Give it a try.
Kudus to all of those folks in Meeker and Rangely who have gone to the trouble of decorating their homes for Christmas.
I long ago started a tradition that works even in the smaller towns of Meeker and Rangely. That is to gather with all local family possible, brew up some hot chocolate and hop in the car for about an hour or so to go see the Christmas lights on display around town.
I did that on Friday night and found quite a few homes that are well decorated and well lighted for the holiday season. Some of them can be found in today’s edition of the Herald Times, but many more are out there yet to be discovered.
The tour of lights always puts me in much more of a Christmas mood, it is a relaxing and inexpensive evening of entertainment and it is a good reason to get out of the house and fight off an early case of cabin fever with all the cold and snow we have had the last month.
It takes time and effort for these residents and businesses to put up these all these decorations and it takes money to keep them lit for a couple weeks in a row.
Thanks to all of you who decorated, even a little bit. My wife and I and, I am sure, many of your neighbors appreciate it.
Gas prices are continuing to plummet almost all places around Colorado and the United States. The average price of gas in the state is hovering at about $3.02 or 3.03 per gallon, and most of the Front Range is running with the lower costs around $2.78 to $2.83 for regular unleaded.
It is much to the credit of the local suppliers and stations in Rio Blanco County that they have lowered their prices to an average of $3.59 per gallon from the long-running $3.89 that it was for almost a year.
But it certainly would be a grand new year’s gesture if another decline in prices would come with the new year. It might work as kind of a New Year’s resolution for some folks.
Here is hoping that you all had a very, merry Christmas and were able to hook up with many of your best friends and family members during the holidays. There is no better way to spend these holidays than with those you love, and please remember those who were unable to do so.
Here is also wishing everyone a happy but safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and that for all of you out there that 2014 is a happy and healthy year; one of the best ever.
Happy New Year!
