Happy New Year, all! 

It’s time to write down our New Year’s resolutions…or perhaps I should say…it’s time to recycle them. 

Many of us use this time of year to set goals for ourselves that are meant to make our next year better than the previous one. Let’s face it…sometimes we achieve our goals, and other times we don’t. The good news is that at least we keep trying.

Every year, I make it a point to mix it up…to come up with a new resolution that I have never set before. So I am always alert to ideas that help me find something a little different (and also that I feel I can achieve). 

I have a friend who signed up for a daily Advent calendar that gives her suggestions to work on for the day. She shared with me one of the suggestions: Before we speak something out loud, we should ask ourselves, “Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?” I have been reflecting on this all day. So often, I hear words come out of other people’s mouths (and my own, at times) that are not kind, are not necessary, and sometimes are not even true. I don’t believe that people intentionally try to be mean to one another. Sometimes, we simply speak before we think.

Then I remembered this famous quote from a favorite journalist of mine: “Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can only be forgiven, not forgotten.” —Carl Sandburg

As kids, when we were being bullied or name-called, we would shout back, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But guess what? Words can hurt. If someone we care about—a spouse, a family member, a friend, a coworker—says things that are mean, disrespectful, or thoughtless, we are affected. We are hurt.

I decided to make that Advent calendar suggestion my New Year’s resolution. Just this one. It’s one that I believe will take quite a bit of effort, but I believe I can achieve it. One that will make me a better person, make me stretch, and help me change. Sounds good to me!

Before I sign off, I want to wish my granddaughter, Savannah, a happy 21st birthday on January 27th! Where in the world have the years gone? And January 29th is my daughter, Carissa’s, birthday. I hope they both have a terrific year.

We will meet again next month. Enjoy!