Resolving not to Resolve

Well, the Christmas holiday has passed and here we are again preparing for a brand new year.  And, that means many people will be practicing the time honored tradition of making New Year's resolutions.  I've heard it said that a New Year's resolution is nothing more than a "to-do" list for the first week of January.  Of course, referring to the time honored tradition of breaking those newly made resolutions before the calendar page gets flipped.  Sure, the intentions are good, but we all know intent and action can be distant relatives.  Need an example?  Think back to last year's resolutions.  Did you keep them?  Did you keep one of them?  Let's take it a step further.  Do you even remember what they were?  If you do, you are definitely in the minority.  Research says only about 12% of people are successful in keeping resolutions.  Those 12% used things like making their resolutions public and asking friends or family to help them be accountable.  Or, they set goals instead of resolutions.  That gave them something to measure and adjust over time, allowing small steps to one big accomplishment.  I have taken this approach over the last ten or so years.  I must say it has provided greater success than the "one strike and you're out" approach.  I try to set goals in different categories.  Of course, the "Health & Fitness" category is a popular one this time of year.  But, I also address others like Social, Spiritual, Financial, Family, Educational and Fun.  It doesn't have to be something hard.  In fact, it needs to be attainable.  I have listed below some New Year's "Goals" to consider.  There may be one that you find interesting and will want to add to your list (that's another help, write them down).
* Read one book a month (audio counts)
* Invite friends over for dinner once a month
* Set a game night for your family to enjoy together
* Find a new hobby that provides exercise (hiking, kayaking, golf)
* Schedule date nights with your spouse
* Volunteer in your community (food bank, animal shelter, nursing home, hospital)
* Write one letter a month to friend or family (not an email or Facebook, an old fashioned pen and paper letter in an envelope with a stamp).
* Do something special for somebody without telling them you did it (gift card, pay for next car in drive thru)
* Sing in a choir or try out for a play
* See how many of your neighbors you can meet and actually be able to say you know them
* Consider things you are good at and teach others to do them.  Then...
* ...ask someone to teach you a skill they are really good at.
* Reseach and seek info on a historical person or event for the year
* Learn to cook a new dish each month
* Each month, eat at a new restaurant you have never tried before
* Volunteer to coach a kids sports team
* Start a journal (Doesn't have to be detailed, may just be a bullet point list of events or what things cost.  Consider what you would find interesting from 10, 20 or 50+ years ago)
* Video a parent or grandparent telling a family story, making a favorite meal or dessert, singing a song or telling a joke

You know, as I made this list, I became aware that the most important changes we can make for the new year are not the ones focused on changing our lives, but on those that focus on changing the lives of those around us.  That way, we are both changed for the better.  So, as I wish you Happy New Year, remember that happiness is not a wish, but a decision.

Christmas History: Can you pass?

Each year it seems like Christmas starts a little sooner and people rush a little faster.  We say we are "celebrating" Christmas.  However, I think each year we do a little less celebrating and a lot more enduring.  By now, chances are pretty good you have said, "Lord, just help me make it through the holidays".  Maybe you are like me.  Maybe you long for the traditions of Christmas.  Don't get me wrong.  At my house we celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas.  But, I'm talking about the American traditions of Christmas.  The childhood memories of family and friends and events that made Christmas special.  I want to keep those memories alive and I would guess you do too.  So, how good is your Christmas history?  Can you pass along those traditions to your kids and grandkids or will they need to do a Google search to learn about them.  Below is a quick knowledge check.  See how you do.

1.  In 1897, Francis Church wrote an editorial in response to a letter from an 8-year old girl.  Who was that little girl and what Christmas traditions came from that response?

2.  Rudolph, the ninth reindeer, was originally a poem written by an employee of this company and handed out free to it's customers.

3.  "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is the 2nd best selling Christmas song of all time.  What is the best selling?

4.  We are familiar with the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe, but when would a young man lose the priviledge of a kiss from a young lady?

5.  The modern depiction of Santa as a jolly fat man in a red suit was inspired by the advertisements of what company?

6.  Where does the tradition of "decking the halls" with boughs of holly come from?

7.  In the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", what book is Clarence the angel reading at the beginning?

8.  What is the name of the rabbit in Frosty the Snowman's Magic Hat?

9. What traditional Christmas song does the Peanuts gang sing at the end of, "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?

10.  In the movie, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", Rudolph's Father was which well-know reindeer?

ANSWERS

1.  Yes, Virginia.  There is a Santa Claus.  After Virginia's death, friends made her story into a book and an emmy winning televsion show.  It is still referenced today to remind that Christmas is a matter of the heart and of things unseen.

2.  Montgomery Ward Department Store

3.  "White Christmas"

4.  In it's original form, this tradition meant that one of the white berries was picked from the mistletoe after each kiss.  When the berries were gone, so was the priviledge of stealing a kiss.

5.  Coca-Cola

6.  An old superstition that bringing in greenery and holly, etc. during the cold winter months would mean that it would grow back more plentiful in the spring.

7.  "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"

8.   Hocus Pocus

9.  "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

10.  Donner

These are just a few of the many memories and facts that help shape a traditional Christmas for me.  How about you?  What makes it special for you?  What will you do to pass it on?  Maybe the greatest tradition we can pass along is to simply slow down a little more, want a little less and make some Christmas memories of your very own.  God bless us everyone.