Let's Talk About Resolutions

The book “LAUNCHING A LEADERSHIP REVOLUTION” written by: Chris Brady & Orrin Woodward, has in it an interesting story about Ben Franklin, one that I will paraphrase. The authors wrote, when Ben Franklin was a young man, around 20 years old, a friend told him he was so disliked people would cross the street to avoid making contact with him. The book describes Benjamin as an extremely opinionated and very argumentative individual. Apparently, Ben Franklin with all his brilliance was very arrogant. The story goes on to say, Benjamin Franklin was so devastated by the news that it caused him to choose a new direction in life. Through the loyalty of one friend, an opportunity to change was delivered to Benjamin Franklin, at about the age of twenty he resolved within himself to change, and he did. He began a new project of self-improvement he called “moral perfection.” His four points of “moral Perfection” are:

1. He resolved to become more frugal in order to repay what he owed to others.
2. He decided to be very sincere in every word and action.
3. He promised himself to be industrious in whatever business he involved himself, and
4. He vowed “to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in the manner of truth.”

I mention this story because January 1st is just around the corner. During this time, each year many of us hope and reach for a better life through making a New Year’s resolution. Some will strive to quit smoking, some to be kinder. A few of us will end relationships, some will lose weight, and some of us will save money. The list of actions people will resolve to do is virtually endless, and for as long as this list may be, it is also no less amazing. I am and have always been a strong supporter of personal resolutions, but what is a resolution? Is a resolution just a quick thought about something you would like to do? Is it something said for a toast while drinking champagne?

Let’s talk about resolutions.

Historically, a resolution, in the context of promise was no light matter, but then again; historically people lived with a higher since of duty, alliance, and allegiance. In this, the thought that one could change the world was an idea that could come true. To this day, the adage that one person can change the world is still true, the only difference is, the world as we know it is perhaps larger and a bit different from the world of Benjamin Franklin. Still, the rule of life is if you or I want to change the world, we must first examine our selves. Where there is flaw, or possibly weakness, we would seek to understand it, overcome it, and in some way parlay our weakness to strength. One of the tools used to facilitate the change of weakness to strength, is our resolutions.

The word resolution can be applied in many ways. A resolution can be a legal document, a church document, the end of a story, or a statement or value regarding visibility. However, in the context of promise, it is my understanding that resolutions are, or used to be, commitments or motion made to self, for the benefit of self and others. Even more than that, resolutions, no matter the sort, are the product of contemplation. Whether the resolution is a legal document, a church document, or the end of a story, the common denominator seems to be that a resolution comes by way of consideration, and evaluation.

One perception of resolution is to become expert, or at least well versed, on the matter to which you are resolving. For example, if you were going to be more giving, financially generous, you might read more on philanthropy, the development, management, and affect of a particular non-profit, to ensure sound distribution and effectiveness of dollars given.

If you were to resolve to quit smoking, then you might study smoking, the psychosomatic effects, the production and marketing, and the insurance and societal cost of cigarettes, thus empowering your decision.

If you wanted to lose 30 pounds, five inches, or perhaps two dress sizes, you wouldn’t only join a gym, but you might become knowledgeable regarding your heart rate, perhaps learn more about cooking and eating, or buy a pedometer to know how far you walk (or need to walk) each day in order to reach your goal. In a sense, making a resolution means becoming a student, maybe even a master in that area of change.

The Great Learning of Confucius reads (in part),
“… Those who wished to cultivate their personal lives would first rectify their minds.
Those who wish to rectify their minds would first make their wills sincere.
Those who wish to make their wills sincere would first extend their knowledge.
The extension of knowledge consists in the investigation of things.
When things are investigated, knowledge is extended.
When knowledge is extended, the will becomes sincere.
When the will is sincere, the mind is rectified.
When the mind is rectified, the personal life is cultivated…”

Interesting wisdom, and yet a resolution is not an isolated thought or deed.

When it comes to resolutions, while we do not normally do it for other people, we are aware of what it means to be in relationship. “No man is an island…” John Donne, “A person is a person through other persons…” Desmond Tutu. “All things happen in relationship,” Principle Living, and because there is no escaping this truth, we know the things we do that are good for ourselves, are ultimately good for others. Marianne Williams wrote, “… as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same….” The act of making a resolution is an effort towards building better relationships, relationship with self as well with others. The idea of making a resolution is not to say I will do or not do for myself, although this may be the stimulus, but also to recognize through knowledge obtained, that your change of self will have an affect others. And since this is true, that resolutions do have an effect on others, how then can we resolve to do anything that does not take into consideration the world around us? If you look back to Franklin’s four points of moral perfection, you will notice although each point is directed towards self, each point creates an affect among himself and others.

While I appreciate the gist of a simple New Year’s party resolution, I believe even the smallest of resolutions are within themselves the product of consideration and evaluation, that each is an assertion towards a change needed in the world(s) in which we live. To that end, whether it is an intra-personal declaration or a public announcement, I believe every adult person should have (or make) a resolution. Resolutions are about character. They are about accountability, compassion, sincerity, and growth. They are about relationship, about change, purpose, potential, and personal effectiveness; and now the time has come.

It is that time of year, the time when we ask, what is your resolution? If asked, what will your answer be? We are in the midst of grieving one of Americas most tragic events as families bury their young children. Nationally we face financial upset of epic proportions. Many people in this country are surviving the effects of unprecedented storms. The news on this day is reporting on one country’s ability to send missiles armed with nuclear warheads to the shore of another country, this country! If you were to have or make a resolution, what would it be? Remember, “A person is a person through other persons…”If you were to write it down, what would it say? Remember, “no man is an island….” and if you were to say it out loud how would it sound? Remember, “… as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same….” And if you had a resolution, how committed would you be to its effect? Remember, “Everything happens in relationship.”

As I said; whether it is an intra-personal declaration or a public announcement, I believe every adult person should have a resolution, what is yours?

Pray and meditate daily… it make a difference.