Supplements

Commentary

By Liz Quirin

Goals, Not Resolutions in New Year

Since the new year is more than a week old, it must be safe to talk about New Year’s resolutions. My daughter asked not what my resolutions for this year are but what my “goals” are. Unfortunately, I’m not very creative, I told her. I’ve had the same goals for more than five years: be a better mother and a better writer. That shouldn’t be difficult, right? There are only two items on my list, but I spend an entire year trying to find ways to meet those goals, even if the “children” have graduated, left home and started lives of their own.

Now, keeping the second goal as one that remains always on my list, I checked the internet to see what some of the more popular resolutions, or as we’re calling them “goals” for this year are. Depending on your source, they boil down to a few categories in no particular order: health issues — lose weight, get fit, social issues — be generous to the poor or disadvantaged (it was nice to see so many people concerned for those less fortunate). Next on the list could help reach someone else’s goal — get out of debt. It is scandalous to see and read so many reports about credit card companies willing to extend — overextend is more like it — credit to those highly unlikely to repay the bills. Sounds like a version of the sub prime mortgage morass some folks find themselves right now.

Jump on a search engine and type in “New Year’s resolutions” to expand or extend the list of favorite goals people aspire to reach this year. According to my definition of goals, these are ideas and hopes that are propelled into action, and any action taken for a positive result gives immense satisfaction.
Looking for other goals, I’ve come up with a few to add to my list: Write a real letter to a friend telling her how much her friendship means.

Join a few friends to talk about the wonderful gifts they have to share. At one diocesan parish, they have made this a parish event, calling it Women of Faith. Everyone is invited to come for dinner, for fun, for conversation and stories. Every parish has all of the ingredients for this event — the women, the faith, the conversation and stories.

Help someone you don’t know. This could be easier than you think. Several wonderful organizations exist to do just that, and the money goes to the needy, not the greedy. They receive high marks from those who monitor organizations for the percentage of money that goes to the poor. We generally want to give when we know the money will be used appropriately. St. Vincent de Paul Societies locally, nationally or internationally, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and Cross International come to mind immediately. Call The Messenger for more information.

It’s amazing what we can accomplish if we just move our hopes and dreams forward with a bit of action. Happy New year.