“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

We often joke about the futility of New Year’s resolutions, and that they usually fall by the wayside within months. That’s because we tend to view resolutions as more of a wish list of things we’d like to change about ourselves, rather than a list of goals that are more definite and involve deadlines. That’s why many creative folks recommend alternative ways to tackle New Year’s resolutions, such as a Bingo card or go ahead and make that list, interspersing practical and achievable goals with those that require a stretch – a nice mix. And give yourself time and flexibility; don’t flush the whole list if you haven’t achieved anything by February! Even fulfilling just some of your goals is an achievement. Remember, don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good!

But however we approach our particular New Year’s resolutions or goals, we need to have firm and unwavering resolve!

To that end, following is my 2025 Great Eight list of  goals that I resolve to fulfill by year end! 

(1) Pay more attention to my health and physical fitness; monitor how my health insurance is serving my needs. References: WHO, CDC, Cigna, Medicare.gov. Note: I’m a believer in vaccines – they have served my family and me well! References: hhs.gov, CDC, Yale Medicine, Nature: The Staggering Success of Vaccines

(2) Strive to make my family relationships and interactions more loving, understanding, constructive and helpful. Reach out more to my relatives, and continue my ancestry research. References: She Knows, ancestry.com

 (3) Step up efforts to restore the accepted behavioral standards that our society has developed over the centuries. It’s enormously challenging to teach, write about and consult on business and personal etiquette when etiquette’s underlying principles of  decency, honor, honesty, and respect, empathy and consideration for others have been tossed aside in favor of lying, slandering, bullying, vindictiveness, schadenfreude, name calling and the like on such a grand scale! References: Medium, U.C. Berkeley, Washington Post

(4) Fight to restore women’s healthcare freedom, and for all the issues I fought for during the 2024 general election campaign season (as stated here, and here) and to restore as well truth, honesty, honor and unity in our government leadership and our own citizens’ self-governance — my own project 2025, if you will. References: President Jimmy Carter’s 1979 “Malaise” Speech; The Epidemic of Lying, by PolitiFact Founder  Rolling Stone

(5) Review finances and find ways to improve them, and support favorite charities. Reference: NYC.gov, 

(6) Find a feline companion for our cat, Mendy. (We’ve tried, really tried, with no success yet.)

(7)  Be more creative with my cooking (look out everyone – lol!). Reference: Vegetarian Chinese Cuisine

(8) Finish my writing project. More about that later…

So, tack up your personal list of “resolutions,” or goals — or Bingo card! — in a prominent place and resolve to check it way more often than ole Santa will be checking his 2025 Christmas list!

Just think of how finding that resolve in each of us could enrich our lives and uplift others. If we can manage to spread that resolve and can-do attitude beyond ourselves it could inspire others to overcome despondency and take action on tackling those resolutions, old and new.

Reaching deep inside ourselves to find our firm resolve could make that happen! So bring on 2025, and let’s crush this!

Until next time,

Jeanne