“I figure life’s a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You don’t know what hand you’re gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you … to make each day count.”
While the merits of the film Titanic can be debated at length, something about the above quote from the 1997 James Cameron blockbuster has always resonated with me.
The sentiments included therein seem all the more appropriate as we say goodbye to another year and usher in 2015.
As in years past, many of us likely got caught up in the idea of a New Year’s Eve bash for the ages, and just as many will vow to uphold any number of New Year’s resolutions. Both are understandable and admirable aspirations, and kudos to anyone who can pull off one or the other – or both.
Making resolutions is great, as long as one is able to stick to them – but quite often, it just doesn’t happen. That is not to say people should not celebrate the new year and embrace the opportunity for change and self improvement – I believe very much in those ideals.
It’s just that perhaps the disillusionment and disappointment many people feel when their aspirations or goals go unfulfilled could be avoided by being realistic from the outset.
Personally, I have found that generic resolutions like “losing weight” and “getting in shape” often fail because there is no defined timeline or motivation for doing so.
What has worked for me is signing up for a charity run or similar event (try the April 11 Marden Marathon 5km, 10km or half marathon races benefitting Groves hospital for instance), which provides a tangible goal while also helping others.
But regardless of the goal or resolution, perhaps not losing sight of the bigger picture would be better motivation.
There are lots of people among us – whether they’re facing serious illness or disease or are otherwise physically or mentally incapacitated – who would love to be in the shoes of those of us who are able to even make New Year’s resolutions. Most people have a whole lot for which to be thankful.
And perhaps the best motivation of all for keeping New Year’s resolutions is the company of those with whom we enjoyed the holiday season.
For me, having children has provided all the motivation needed to try to become a better person. Anything I can do to prolong the precious time I have with our girls is worth doing. If dragging my lazy butt out of bed early a few times a week for exercise affords me in the end even an extra day with our kids, that is more than enough motivation to do it. The other benefits are just a bonus.
Of course there will be obstacles and difficulties along the way, many of which will be unforeseen, but I hope this time of year reNews in everyone the desire to do what’s best for others and not just themselves.
In that regard I am lucky to have an advantage that many others do not: a powerful reminder of the true promise of a new year.
For me, Dec. 31 will always mean much more than making vain pledges about self improvement plans for the next 365 days. It is the birthday of our youngest daughter, who has just completed her first of many calendar years.
Nothing provides more hope for the future than the promise of a young child. Witnessing the monumental changes that someone so young experiences in just 12 months is a powerful reminder to us all that true and meaningful change is possible – in 2015 and beyond.
Happy birthday, Caitlyn.
