WOW Word-Of-the-Week #387: Resolution
January 5, 2012 by Susan Clarke
Resolution – a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner.
Do you usually make a New Year’s resolution? Is there something you want to do this year? Would you like to modify or change any behavior?
I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions and I was asked during the Holidays what I wanted 2012 to be for me. My first thought was my new travel mantra, which is, “I want to be surprised, but not P..O..ed.” What that means for me, is that I know enough information but not everything. I like to be surprised!
I don’t want to do so much research that I know what to expect. Perfect examples of that are when we went to Egypt (I had no idea how many different temples there were other than the pyramids) and Xi’an, China (I had no idea there were 8000 life size terra cotta soldiers buried there.) And I don’t want all of my days filled with pre-planned activities. For long time subscribers you might remember my WOW on “planned spontaneity.”
Things that I have learned that will make my resolution work are: 1) find out when the weather (temperature, precipitation, air quality) is most ideal and go at that time. 2) you can never assume you will find a hotel room on the weekend in the off season. 3) don’t book your air before you know what your itinerary is! You could be set up for great disappointment.
If you’re like me and don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, think about what you like to do and how you could improve upon it or make it better. Maybe it’s like not making the same mistake twice?
This week’s focus is on resolutions. Don’t feel pressured to come up with one just because it’s New Year’s. Do it because it feels right. Is there anything you have wanted to do for a long time? How would it feel to make plans for that to happen? Is there any behavior you would like to change? Do you have the support to help you make that happen?
Reader Responses
“If you have a solution and you do it again is that a resolution??” – John
“I know that I want to change my eating habits so that I can lose weight this year. I really like to munch on chips either in the afternoon or late in the evening. That is one habit I really need to break in order to lose the weight I want to this year. I think that resolutions gets a bad name because so many of us have not kept our promises for the new year. We start out with a clean slate, but somehow don’t follow through. As I approach my dotage, I want to watch my weight especially. Thanks for the word, Susan. Happy New Year to you. Take care.” – “Warrior” Joe