Wednesday 31 December 2003

Resolutions unlimited

Being bad one last time
The turn of the year offers ample opportunity to review what has happened and plan for the New Year.
Interestingly, many make resolutions at this time, New Years Resolutions the bane of self-discipline laid bare for indulgence to defeat at the earliest opportunity.
What pleasure it would be to be able to switch on a desire requiring the discipline of a Spartan and be able to keep it from then on. Many though have not been able to keep it through the day.
Habits and addictions are the least likely to be jettisoned on the whim of a date change from December 31st to January 1st, though these dates allow for the sands of time to gather as a milestone in our lives.
If a date change as the New Year is that significant to a change of attitudes, maybe one’s birthday should offer such opportunity too.
Resolution
Borrowing from the meaning of resolution in the Merriman-Webster dictionary printed in full.
Main Entry: res·o·lu·tion
Pronunciation: "re-z&-'lü-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French resolution, from Latin resolution-, resolutio, fromresolvere
Date: 14th century
1 : the act or process of reducing to simpler form: as
a : the act of analysing a complex notion into simpler ones
b : the act of answering : SOLVING
c : the act of determining
d : the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance
e : the separating of a chemical compound or mixture into its constituents
f (1) : the division of a prosodic element into its component parts (2) : the substitution in Greek or Latin prosody of two short syllables for a long syllable
g : the analysis of a vector into two or more vectors of which it is the sum
h : the process or capability of making distinguishable the individual parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images, or sources of light
2 : the subsidence of a pathological state (as inflammation)
3
a : something that is resolved resolution to mend my ways>
b : firmness of resolve
4 : a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted by an official body or assembled group
5 : the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out
synonym see COURAGE
The meaning described in 3 with the usage to mend one’s ways depicts what a New Years resolution is all about. However, resolutions are slightly more complex than a decision that results in a battle of the mind ready to make you crazy with irresolvable indecision and near mental apoplexy.
Looking at each meaning, one can begin to create the atmosphere for a resolution to take hold.
First, reduce the elements of a resolution into its components. To give up smoking, one has first to decide on why it is necessary to stop smoking, if this is for health or social reasons.
Each reason would determine the strength of the resolution. The cost of smoking is another factor, monetary, health, social issues might help quantify the cost.
At the point when one gives up, what takes the place of that time of smoking, the craving to smoke, the physiological changes one suffers and the mental stress it produces becomes a focal point.
Without understanding these components which really are counting the cost, one would not make it far into the year before all these factors militate to break one’s determination.
Then, the subsistence of a pathological state, yes, the making of a swelling go down or rather how to deal with the cravings for a smoke, for food, to stop running, to keep idle.
In the case of inflammations, the therapeutic solution is the use of antibiotics. For smoking, it might be a patch, for food and exercise, one needs other times of encouragement.
A resolution requires an announcement to people who would help one keep it by encouragement and positive assertion. In the case of exercise to keep fit, having a companion with similar goals to goad each other one is a useful thing.
The decision, once the decision is made and made in the understanding of the first two points in the meanings above, one is well on the way to keeping that resolution.
Once again, one needs to announce the resolution to people who would help one along.
A secret resolution has no life source to thrive, and would be soon dead without the determination, resistance or confidence that goes into ensuring one wins in the game of keeping it beyond the next day.
Like a detective story, this is where you know that you will keep the resolution.
You have gone beyond the pain barrier, moved into the cope zone and ready to ascend into the can live without it stage.
Finally, keeping a resolution is a thing about courage, the courage to accommodate change, to be able to refuse irrelevance because of inaction and attain victory by reason of seeing the joy of winning your personal battles.
Next resolution please!
+        I am resolved
+        To be fit and trim getting rid of what appears to be middle-aged spread
+        To be a lot more patient with situations I cannot stand
+        Do something radical about my career
+        Get me a more vibrant social life
+        Have a companion for my next birthday and Christmas
+        Not to have to list these resolutions for the next year
Even one knows that there is work to be done.

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