Selecting a New Year’s resolution
The Christmas holidays have come and gone, and New Year’s is knocking at our door. New Year’s resolutions will begin on Monday and with the new year will come rain and cooler temps.
Many have thought about what they want to change in the new year and some make it through the year with the changes they made. It’s a healthy practice to set goals even if the likelihood of people meeting their goals is not always met. It is commendable even to try.
In the past, I have set new goals to lose weight and get fit. I started earlier this year and hope to reach my goals. Old habits are hard to change, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
If you want to set a goal this year:
• Set one you can attain.
• Look at all the pros and cons to know what to expect during the challenge.
• Outline a plan and stick to it.
If you decide to start working out, it is always good to have a friend to join for encouragement and to hold each other accountable.
Another popular resolution is to stop smoking. When I decided to quit smoking 20- plus years ago, I threw an unopened pack of cigarettes out the car window and never picked up a cigarette again. I was determined not to smoke because my daughter, Emily, asked me to stop. She was eight years old when she asked me to stop smoking. Emily said that if smoking killed me, she would be left all by herself. A child can be the best motivation. But I encourage those who want to stop smoking just to put them down and don’t pick up another cigarette.
The weather has not been extremely cold and I’m glad because my utility bill is not as high as normal. Actually, the Christmas holidays were a bit warmer than usual. But the weatherman has predicted that the temps will begin to change soon. Next Tuesday morning, the temperature prediction is 28 degrees, with the high to be 45 degrees in Holly Springs. I put my faith in the Farmers’ Alamanac for my weather predictions. I believe it has a solid track record with predictions. The weather in the south is hard to predict. Still, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, the winter season will be filled with a lot of rain in Mississippi, with average winter temperatures overall. Lots of cold temperatures and some storms will keep us busy through the middle of January. I hope the ice and snow stay away from us this year. Last year, the ice storm was costly for some residents. So many Marshall and Benton County residents did not have electricity in their homes for several days or more. Some bought generators during and after the ice storm. Power outages continued for several months.
Whether you have New Year’s resolutions or not, the new year will begin, and the weather is always unpredictable.
Some of us will bring in the new year with family and friends; for some, it will just be another night.
Happy New Year to all.