| Why is it that every year, once a year, everyone | | | | Max smiled. "Not when I'm with a girl," he laughed, |
| decides it's time to make a change in their life? They | | | | shaking his head. "She'd think I was crazy. |
| decide at that moment, that they are going to make | | | | "She may think your crazy, but if you do what it takes |
| New Year's Resolutions. Technically, a New Year's | | | | to keep your New Year's Resolutions, she might |
| Resolution is a goal, a dream, a desire. So why don't | | | | actually take you for a man," his grandpa teased. "So |
| people put as much time and effort into them any | | | | when do you do it? You need to be serious, you need |
| other time of the year? I'll let you think about that for | | | | to find a spot in your day, and do it every day." |
| yourself. In the meantime, let me tell you a story - and | | | | Max looked at the ceiling, thinking. After a while he |
| you can decide if the old and wise humor changes | | | | blurted, "How about at bed time?" |
| your mind about this Year's New Year's Resolutions | | | | "Lying down?" asked his grandfather. "No man |
| and how you go about succeeding at them. | | | | accomplishes anything lying down. You won't last two |
| Max's grandfather leaned back in his old wooden | | | | minutes and you'll be out cold sleeping." |
| rocking chair, sounds of creaking escaping beneath him | | | | Max cringed. "You're not telling me to kneel?" |
| on the kitchen floor. "You know Max, we used to | | | | "No, I'm telling you to stay awake," his grandfather |
| examine our lives every day," he said. "Now, people | | | | continued laughing as he noticed Max's frustrations. |
| only do it once a year, and then they decide to make | | | | "Put a plain wood chair in your room. Sit on it and |
| resolutions about it." He leaned forward suddenly, | | | | remember your New Year's Resolutions. Then |
| planting his feet on the wood floors, creating a sudden | | | | remember what you did that day. See how you did or |
| silence as the chair stopped creaking. "You know why | | | | didn't do. Decide on rewards or reparations. Then go to |
| that doesn't work Max? I'll tell you why. It doesn't work | | | | bed." He rocked slowly back and forth, the creaking of |
| because a resolution only lasts two day, maybe three | | | | the chair being the only sound in the room. "And |
| if you're lucky. But, let me tell you one more thing. Us | | | | remember it in the morning," he added. |
| smarter older folk know better. We understand that | | | | "That's a whole lot of work," said Max. |
| you have to examine each and every day of your life | | | | The grandfather nodded. "You like the life you got?" he |
| and remake your resolutions as you go along. Not | | | | asked. |
| once a year." He leaned back and started rocking the | | | | "Sorta. There's a few things I might change." |
| chair, seemingly pleased with the conclusion he had | | | | "Then, it's gonna take a whole lotta work to change |
| just made. "I just don't understand what sort of young | | | | your life to what you do like." The grandfather shook |
| fool thinks they can make a New Year's Resolution on | | | | his head. "Of course, you could always do it the |
| the first day of the year that is going to last through to | | | | modern way. You could think of a whole list of |
| the next 364 days. I just don't get it." | | | | improvements on January 1st, and go right ahead and |
| Max sat quiet for a moment at the kitchen table, | | | | act truly improved, all the way to the weekend. And |
| picking over a plate of leftovers. He looked up at his | | | | then forget about the whole thing... till the next year |
| grandfather. "Okay," he said. "So my first resolution is | | | | when you decide to try again." |
| to remake my New Year's Resolutions every day, | | | | Max shook his head. "You're right grandfather, I guess I |
| how about that?" | | | | need to work at my resolutions every day. If I want |
| The old man nodded. "Now you're talking," he | | | | something bad enough it's not going to be easy." |
| exclaimed. "But, when are you gonna do this - when | | | | "I'm glad you learned something today Max," his |
| you wake up late for work, when you're busy on the | | | | grandfather stated rather pleased with himself. "Now |
| job, when you're having lunch with your buddies, or | | | | let's just see if you can follow through with what you |
| when you're flirting with some girl and spending your | | | | say, we all know you younger generations are used to |
| money? When are you gonna to do this everyday?" | | | | being spoiled these days. |