Resolution Smesolution
In keeping with my new years tradition I have resolved to not make any new years resolutions. After all everyday is the beginning of a new year. A year is but a measure of 365.25 days. This minute is the first minute in the next 365.25 days, oh and this one too. You see I could go on like this forever.
The point is, new years is just another reason people have to go get drunk and do whatever they want--kinda like Mardi Gras. One last BANG! Before they come clean and start over. But if everyday is the beginning of a new year, either is gives us license to party every night and do all of our worst sins because we know the next day is a new beginning, or we realize that we have no right ever to be evil people because its just another day.
Plus if I really wanted to change I wouldn't wait until January 1 to make an effort to become different. Like it's a mystical day or something, the clock chimes 12 and we turn from evil people into the people we have always wanted to become. It doesn't work that way. It seems like a fad to me, everybody is doing it, and most people will be done with it by the second week of January. To really change I suppose it has to be more than a once a year commitment, but rather an everyday commitment.
Some people use the new year as a time to reflect upon their successes and failures, what worked last year what didn't. Personally I just remember a lot of bad stuff and how I messed up here and there, its no wonder people drink when they remember 2004. A lot good happens everyday and I think its important as we look back, whether it be on the new year (Jan 1) or everyday of our lives, that we be reminded of the good stuff as well as God's grace to make us new people. Its a continuing thing, we are always trying to improve. I guess there comes a point when we realize the people we are, we can keep trying to improve ourselves, eat better, get more exercise, give to a charity, etc., etc. Or we can see that without God we will never be the people we are meant to be.
I think Christmas and new years are probably the most selfish time of year, first I get all these gifts and I actually expect them, then I focus on myself and tear myself up over all my failings, and compare myself to others that I think I should be more like. What good does that do? Just brings out the greedy mean person that I am. This is always my biggest struggle. I focus on myself and trying to be better. I lose sight of the bigger picture. It's not about me.
Today I remembered why I don't watch TV anymore. I was over at a friends house and the rose parade was on. How many millions of dollars do you think when into that? And halfway around the world there are over 100,000 people dead and many missing and homeless because of a huge natural disaster. We Americans are so smug, wanting to be entertained above anything else. What if they canceled the parade and gave all the money they would have spent to the relief efforts, or to the AIDS pandemic in Africa and the Caribbean. I feel so shallow. That stuff makes us uncomfortable, it makes our hearts hurt. So we entertain it away with "reality" TV, and parades and concerts and everything. When we feel a little fake and superficial we go and watch a sad movie to make us cry so we feel human again. What a sick person I am, that my entertainment is worth more than a human life.
This is my reflection for the new year.
The point is, new years is just another reason people have to go get drunk and do whatever they want--kinda like Mardi Gras. One last BANG! Before they come clean and start over. But if everyday is the beginning of a new year, either is gives us license to party every night and do all of our worst sins because we know the next day is a new beginning, or we realize that we have no right ever to be evil people because its just another day.
Plus if I really wanted to change I wouldn't wait until January 1 to make an effort to become different. Like it's a mystical day or something, the clock chimes 12 and we turn from evil people into the people we have always wanted to become. It doesn't work that way. It seems like a fad to me, everybody is doing it, and most people will be done with it by the second week of January. To really change I suppose it has to be more than a once a year commitment, but rather an everyday commitment.
Some people use the new year as a time to reflect upon their successes and failures, what worked last year what didn't. Personally I just remember a lot of bad stuff and how I messed up here and there, its no wonder people drink when they remember 2004. A lot good happens everyday and I think its important as we look back, whether it be on the new year (Jan 1) or everyday of our lives, that we be reminded of the good stuff as well as God's grace to make us new people. Its a continuing thing, we are always trying to improve. I guess there comes a point when we realize the people we are, we can keep trying to improve ourselves, eat better, get more exercise, give to a charity, etc., etc. Or we can see that without God we will never be the people we are meant to be.
I think Christmas and new years are probably the most selfish time of year, first I get all these gifts and I actually expect them, then I focus on myself and tear myself up over all my failings, and compare myself to others that I think I should be more like. What good does that do? Just brings out the greedy mean person that I am. This is always my biggest struggle. I focus on myself and trying to be better. I lose sight of the bigger picture. It's not about me.
Today I remembered why I don't watch TV anymore. I was over at a friends house and the rose parade was on. How many millions of dollars do you think when into that? And halfway around the world there are over 100,000 people dead and many missing and homeless because of a huge natural disaster. We Americans are so smug, wanting to be entertained above anything else. What if they canceled the parade and gave all the money they would have spent to the relief efforts, or to the AIDS pandemic in Africa and the Caribbean. I feel so shallow. That stuff makes us uncomfortable, it makes our hearts hurt. So we entertain it away with "reality" TV, and parades and concerts and everything. When we feel a little fake and superficial we go and watch a sad movie to make us cry so we feel human again. What a sick person I am, that my entertainment is worth more than a human life.
This is my reflection for the new year.
posted by becka at 2:04 PM
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