Did you make your New Year’s resolutions yet? Myself, I don’t make resolutions for the new year, but I think I’m in the minority. Most people try to turn over a new leaf at the start of each new year.
Many resolutions are difficult to keep. Quit smoking? Go to the gym every day? Lose weight? Stop yelling or nagging? All worthwhile pursuits, but none of them easy to do and—here’s the tricky part—continue doing. I am told that gyms are much more crowded in January than they are in March or May, and I suspect the same is true of Weight-Watchers or OA meetings.
Resolutions such as those require stick-to-it-iveness and fortitude. They’re not easy.
Well, here’s an easy resolution that’s not only good for you but enjoyable: “I WILL READ MORE BOOKS IN THE NEW YEAR.”
It may mean watching a little less TV, or spending less time chatting on the phone. But make it a point to do more reading in the new year. Reading is not only enjoyable but good for you—and especially so if you are reading nonfiction rather than novels, as you can learn new facts, or improve yourself, or understand politics or social causes better, or read about the lives of admirable or interesting people, or find new recipes or culinary techniques….
Now here’s one more affirmation “for the road”: “I WILL EXPAND MY READING IN THE NEW YEAR AND NOT LIMIT MYSELF TO ONLY THE TYPES OF BOOKS I’VE BEEN USUALLY READING.” If you mostly read novels, try nonfiction. If you mostly read motivational/inspirational, try histories. If you mostly read self-help, try politics. If you mostly read humor, try poetry. If you mostly read about politics or social causes, try memoirs and biographies.
Happy 2018…and happy reading to you!