'Tis no longer the season
Another Christmas has come and gone.
I had a great Christmas season, ending on an an absolutely wonderful Christmas Day where I got everything I asked for. True story.
I mentioned last month how much I love Christmas. I get into the lights. And the music. And the movies. Heck, I watched Christmas movies almost exclusively from Thanksgiving until Saturday night.
However, as I said, the Christmas season ends on Christmas Day. And come December 26th, it just seems wrong to watch Christmas movies. Christmas music becomes passé. The snow stops being pretty and starts being a nuisance. And I can endure the lights and decorations for a little while longer, but by a few days after New Years, they start to bother me.
I guess I feel like there's a place for everything and everything in its place.
With Christmas come and gone, it's now time to focus on the new year. A time we all dedicate to bettering ourselves.
I had never been one for New Year's resolutions. But I made several last year. And I'm happy to say I kept most of them. I didn't resolve to lose weight. Or quit any vices. I would have failed those. Mostly, I just resolved to just be a better person. I think I was.
This coming year I resolve to build on the successes I had in 2010. I had several. I also had my fair share of failures. I resolve to work harder to have less of those in 2011.
Whatever you might want 2011 to be, remember that it is mostly up to you. Sure, there are things in life we don't control. But we do control who we are, individually.
Resolutions should not be wishes. They are intentions. Promises, if you will. And they're promises you make to yourself. Maybe you make them publicly and tell your friends and colleagues. But what you tell yourself is really more important.
A resolution should not be boastful. No one is impressed with what you say you intend to do. People are impressed by actions.
I can truly say that today I am a better, stronger person than I was a year ago. While that may not be impressive to you, it means everything to me.
I got quite a bit of feedback on last week's column. When I wrote it, I was somewhat concerned that it was too specific to Lockport. But the kudos came from far and wide, as I should have expected. Lockport may have been the example, but the topic was somewhat universal.
I always enjoy feedback. Be it positive or negative. It let's me know that you're reading this, first of all. It also lets me know that you care about the community you live in.
This paper encourages feedback. And we want to hear your opinion on things. You can let us know what you're thinking with a letter to the editor, by calling Sound Off, or by adding your two cents to our Facebook page.
Maybe that can be your resolution. Resolve to get more involved.
Alright, I bared my soul enough this week. I'll meet you back here next Tuesday.