Life Resolution

How's your New Years Resolution going?

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Most of us understand that the best way to reach a larger long-term goal is to set small obtainable goals. As we work at those, and hit incremental milestones, we gain confidence and hope so we may keep reaching forward, toward our larger goal and purpose.

And it's true.

Why then do we ignore this fact every January?

Failing and unrealistic New Years Resolutions tend to cripple hope and hinder progress. Every year Resolutions are made, and broken. We have all the confidence and support for the first month or two, and by the time summer comes we have forgotten or dismissed our promises to ourselves.

Why is this?

I believe our poor planning leads to poor performance. By not planning properly we set ourselves up for failure.

I believe that most often our New Years Resolutions are too large, too vague, and not coupled with the much needed smaller goals that could help lead to our resolution.

We say:
"I'm goin to get out of debt."
"I'm going to lose weight."
"I'm going to go to the gym every day."

And yes, those are good long-term goals. But what are we missing?

We're missing the means to those ends.

We're missing what it takes to get there.

We're missing those small obtainable goals.

We're missing the established principles that lead to real change in our lifestyles.

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Forget about your New Years Resolution.

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Instead,

Make a life choice.

Make a life resolution.

Choose every single day as a small step forward.

Choose every single day to push harder and further than you did the day before.

Choose principles and character ethics that are more powerful and more resilient than any New Years resolution could ever be.

Establish and develop and practice positive character traits; such as integrity, bearing, unselfishness, endurance, tact, temperance, modesty, courage, enthusiasm, fidelity, etc.

Resolve to be true to yourself.

Resolve to be better in every way.

Consider doing what is right.... all year long.

Fairly "simple" response for fairly "complicated" concerns.

I have received some debate and criticism for things I've posted online, like many others, in the wake of recent acts of violence around our country.

I have posted and "shared" opinions online, and I understand that those limited forms of communication simply leave areas open for assumption, and they don't always include everything we are trying to say.

I'd like to respond here honestly with my thoughts.

This response in-particular is to a question of relevance of recent second amendment debate and support, as well as a concern about the much needed answers for the families of the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary. It's also in response to a question of why I even post such things as I do.

These are my thoughts on the matters:

"Unfortunately there are no easy answers for the families (of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victims). It's not necessarily about the 2nd amendment, nor even having the right answers. It's setting in motion principles and morals and ethics that lead our society toward a respect for liberties and life.

Not only do we have a right to defend against such atrocities, but we also have a right to life, a right to establish a society that stands up against those who wish to do us harm, no matter their motives. It's not about guns or knives or bombs, it's about what's right, justice, and truth.

The problem is not the liberals or conservative, nor the democrats or republicans, nor gun rights or gun bans. The problem is a degradation of the human experience, the desensitizing to violence, and a selfishness at the heart of our upbringings, that leads us to do such evil things, and even accept these things as "normal" and expected.

We need to not expect mass murders, we need to stand up against them, we need to teach justice, righteousness, liberty, and interdependency in a civilized society.

Enough of the selfishness.
Enough of the "me first" education.
Enough of accepting evil deeds as common-place.

To those families (of Sandy Hook): I am truly sorry for what has happened. It should not have, and should never happen. If there's anything we could do to go back and prevent it I'm sure any of us would. I am deeply remorseful for you and your lost.

But we must move forward.
We need to realistically seek principle-based solutions.
We need to fix the roots of our society.
Teach truth.
Teach family values.
Teach respect.
Defend righteousness!"


These are my personal thoughts on these matters.

Through it all,
Consider This:
Be patient, be kind, don't be envious, don't boast, don't be proud. Don't be rude or self seeking. Be slow to anger. Don't hold grudges. Don't delight in evil, but rejoice in truth.
Protect. Trust. Hope. Persevere.
Consider This.
For this is love.
And Love never fails.