New Year's Day

"Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual." Mark Twain

I always have the best of intentions, but find that changing much about myself is almost impossible. I think it's mostly just plain laziness (and I'm going to work on it!), but I don't think I'm riding solo on this either; everyone laughs about not keeping their resolutions. So, my thinking is this. If we can't change ourselves, maybe we could just try to change the world around us. I'm know for a fact that it is much easier to be nice to the cashier at the grocery than it is to walk a mile or do 50 sit-ups :-).

Having trouble clearing clutter from your house? Think of that family that needs those coats and shoes much more than you do. Don't want to eat so much junk food? Buy locally grown produce and help a farmer. Putting too much money into your gas tank? Combine trips to town and walk to the end of your driveway to get your mail. Watching too much tv? Visit your local library. Discouraged with the political situation? Get informed and go vote. Starving kids in Africa (or America)? Cut out one bad vice and redirect that money to help.

It's endless the little things we can do to change things for others. Interestingly though, in doing so, we've actually changed things for ourselves. We've become more organized, saved some money, eaten healthier, gotten more exercise, breathed cleaner air... and kept some of those old resolutions.

Happy New Year!