Decisively Resolute. . . Maybe

by Dawn Schwab

January not only marks the beginning of another year, but is also the time for New Year’s Resolutions. There are endless news stories, articles and web sites related to them. What kind of resolution to make, how to succeed. There is even one web site that will generate automatic email messages to you, reminding (or guilting) you about the promises you’ve made to yourself.

Well, here’s another article, but it’s not about what to resolve, or how to carry through. Instead, it’s about the phenomenon of resolutions, these bursts of growth and inspiration that come in the middle of the most barren season. It’s heartening to think that the human mind and soul flower even when the trees do not.

Some people make resolutions, others do not. Some have a formalized plan, while others keep their vows private. For some it’s as simple as putting the previous year’s cares and disappointments in the past and moving forward fresh, free of regrets.

I looked up the top ten resolutions and the usual suspects appeared -- lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, manage money and get organized (unhappily, those close to me have suggested I consider that last one). All are worthy goals, geared to improve the physical body or day-to-day living.

However, some of the resolutions surprised me; “Learning Something New” and “Helping Others” were both popular choices. To a humanities devotee these things just seem to come naturally – learning something new is more than a goal, it’s a driving force in life. And one of the best parts of learning is sharing knowledge, and the wonder of it, with someone else.

Those of us who love learning have a wellspring of entertainment and nourishment for the soul. We have the ability to get through some very tough times on the strength of a poem or a cherished story.

That people want to make learning and sharing a part of their life is a good thing for us all. I’ve been taught since childhood that knowledge is power, and I believe that’s true – the more we learn about lives and stories different than our own, the more we learn how similar we all really are.

So, here’s to everyone with a resolution; formal or otherwise, started in January, or ongoing – we may not always succeed, but we keep trying!

Best of luck reaching your goals for 2005. As for me, I’m resolving to lose a little weight, find the perfect way to fix broccoli so my child will eat it (I suspect it will involve chocolate sauce or hard cash), and – yes, even work on that organization thing.

To Unsubscribe: Click "Reply" and write "Unsubscribe" in the subject field.

Published monthly by the Missouri Humanities Council, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Federal agency.
http://www.mohumanities.org
Phone: (800) 357-0909
Fax: (314) 781-9681
543 Hanley Industrial Court
Suite 201
St. Louis, MO 63144