by Nicasio Angelo Agustin
My friend said that he doesn’t make New Year’s resolutions so he won’t get disappointed at the end of the year when he realizes he had not been faithful to his resolutions. I respect his stance as well as his capacity to improve himself even without that the traditional list; after all, I see him as a responsible person and definitely better off than most people around him.
The importance of a New Year’s resolution is for us to have the opportunity to declare what we want to pursue, what we want to achieve, and what we want to accomplish for ourselves and for our society. The New Year is indeed a chance for us to assess the past year and have a better outlook for the coming year – with a renewed hope for opportunities to make ourselves better and greater than we were the previous year or years.
When we make a New Year’s resolution, we recognize not only our inadequacies and shortcomings but also our capacities and abilities to do much better. For most grown up and successful professionals, the New Year is a time to realize and open the possibilities to move even further – from excellence to greatness.
I recently asked my friends in Facebook what they think are their top three New Year’s resolutions. After several days, I was amazed to get 134 responses. I now share with my readers the responses I got which I thought could very well reflect everyone else’s written or unwritten resolve for the coming year. The list I got varied a lot but could be categorized into four. Here they are:
Those which are intended to improve one’s self. Most common among the responses is one’s desire to look and feel better next year, which include specific declarations, such as: to start hitting the gym, to spend at least one hour and 30 minutes per day in the gym for a minimum of three to four days a week, to lose weight by at least 30 pounds (my friends are not so obese, you see!), to quit smoking, to moderate drinking of wine and liquor, to eat healthy diet (avoid fats; take more fruits and vegetables), to be more health conscious, to spend more time with one’s self, to improve self projection, to invest more in self-improvement programs, and to enhance the collection of one’s wardrobe.
Those that are related to work, career and money. “Work smarter in 2011” is I think one of the best responses I got. It means maximizing productivity in the work place in terms of time, effort and cash outflows. It also means maximizing capacities and increasing propensity to save and to earn. The responses clearly points to one’s dedication to improve his or her work and career and to eventually enjoy the rewards. There is an apparent recognition that earning more money and enjoying what you do require a correct attitude and profound skills and knowledge. Attitude, I suppose, would also include deliberate action and decision to make our work and our workplace more stress-free.
Those that are relational in nature. My friends who responded to my Facebook “survey” would like their relationships improved and made more meaningful in 2011 – for their family, friends and work colleagues. The New Year is then a time to start spending more quality time with family, to be more patient and tolerant towards the inadequacies of others, to be more considerate of others’ needs, to heal and mend broken relationships, to forgive and forget the mistakes done to us, to make peace with those who might have wronged us, and to eliminate the stresses that wrong links and negative vibes impose and inflict on us.
Those that pertain to the improvement of the society, or those that are developmental in scope. One of my friends in Facebook said that for 2011, he shall endeavor – and proactively seek opportunities – to extend his expertise and services to improve the living conditions of society and the community, and for the attainment of peace and development in Mindanao. A very noble and inspiring selfless New Year’s resolution!
From the responses I got, I realize that people are not only concerned about improving their own selves, but they also aspire to help improve other people’s lives and society in general. For how can one enjoy the new positive changes in his or her life when he or she continues to live with other people who seemingly unconcerned with themselves and their communities. We begin to get disappointed when we see other people – for example, some reckless PUV drivers, some inept policemen and traffic enforcers, some “trapo” politicians, some unscrupulous and greedy big and small business people, etc. – continuously living their old crooked ways. How we wish that they too would make and keep their own New Year’s resolutions. This may sound so self-righteous, a holier-than-thou attitude for some of us, but it’s true. If we are concerned with our society, everyone needs to change for the better.
As the song which was popularized by National Artist Levi Celerio goes: “Bagong taon ay magbagong buhay, Nang lumigaya ang ating Bayan, Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan natin ang kasaganaan”.
Wishing you all a renewed hope as we all endeavor to make ourselves and our society better and greater in 2011!
