resolution (n) A determined plan of action that . . . um . . . well . . . I started off strong there . . . but what was I doing? Let me get back to . . . Oh look, fudge!

 
No, seriously. The word resolution comes from the Latin resolutus which means “a plan of action one is determined to follow, unless you didn’t write it down. Then it was just a wish. So you might as well . . . Oh look, fudge!”

 
No, really seriously this time. We can do this. We can make goals and achieve them. Joan of Arc didn’t know the meaning of the word “quit.” Napolean never said “die.” Of course, that’s mostly because neither one of them spoke English. So they also didn’t know the meaning of the word “cross-dresser,” and never said, “I’m an egocentric conqueror”. But that doesn’t change the fact that we can do this.

 
Before we go planning out our 2006, I would like to warn you. When people in our culture think of self-improvement they are sometimes tempted to compare themselves to those around them. And if you’re like me, you have neighbors that play 5 different musical instruments, can their own peaches, are able to use zucchini 7,000 different ways, made a quilt magnificently portraying their family tree back to Adam, write in their journal at least every hour, and in their spare time memorize the Old Testament in Hebrew and hand stitch bandages for the lepers in Russia. They are relentlessly good! However, most of us have to realize that if we try to keep up with these people it will lead to a small family of hernias.

Therefore, I suggest simplifying things. As I was pondering this counsel, I was reminded of a true story. Once in Salt Lake City a woman sought Brigham Young’s advice. Her husband had told her to “go to hell” and she didn’t know what to do. Brigham Young’s response was brief and wise and my inspiration for my resolution. He responded, “don’t go.” I think that is some solid counsel. Therefore, no matter how long and exhaustive, or short and pathetic your list of resolutions is, I recommend “don’t go to hell” should be somewhere toward the top.

 
Anyway, as I say goodbye, remember to be tireless and determined. Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, no never give up.”  And Confucius taught “A bird without vision is like a strand of seaweed floating aimlessly in a sea of . . . Oh look fudge!”