Resolute

We have marched half way through the first month of 2011.  I notice New Year’s resolutions being offered up as a way to sell us things ranging from fast food to athletic shoes.  Interesting, our desire to be resolute is a way to vend goods.

Dictionary.com offers the following definitions for resolute.

1.  firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose of opinion
2.  characterized by firmness and determination, as the temper, spirit, actions, etc.
3.  firm in purpose or belief; steadfast
4.  characterized by resolution; determined (a resolute answer)

Certainly the goals we set each New Year mean something to us.  The supposed slate clearing opportunity inspires us to dig deep into what is important.  Or do we set goals we really don’t like because we feel it’s expected?  These are goals that may fail. 

Resolutions must be attainable, simple and they must MATTER to us.  We cannot count on will power alone to push us through things that have no meaning to us.  Will power is not guaranteed to be steadfast nor firmly resolved.  Stress will kill will power in a skinny minute and over the years I have hidden empty packages from more than one bag of sweet sixteen powdered donuts to prove it. 

If stress or circumstances (illness, bad weather, whatever it might be) derail our plan, we get back on track and keep going if the goal really matters to us.  If we are firm in purpose or belief, set in purpose of opinion about something we do not toss it aside even if we fail to rise to its heights one day.    

Being resolute alone sucks.  Sometimes we need friends who will take a walk with us to meet our daily exercise goal, offer us unsweetened tea while we give up sugar, will sit and chat as we nervously wait at the DMV to earn a driver’s license, will remind us in a social situation that alcohol is not what makes us cool, will answer our call when we need to talk about a day in which we failed to do what we intended or celebrate our success.  Sometimes we need to be that friend for someone else.  

Today America honors a resolute man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  His words make me wonder, “How does being resolute reflect the content of my character?”  Maybe our resolutions are not as lofty as Dr. King’s and our marches may be more personal than public.  They still move us toward positive change.  Building a strong self and supporting others as we become improved people requires us to indeed be resolute.