Hometown New Year’s resolutions

Margot C. Lester
Staff Writer

New Year’s resolutions have been traced all the way back to ancient Rome, where citizens offered resolutions to honor the god Janus, for whom January is named. (By the by, Janus was the god of the gates, doorways, beginnings and endings).

Here in the States, we probably have Ben Franklin to thank for the tradition. One of his many adages goes like this: “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors and let every new year find you a better man.”

So influential was Ben’s advice that today about one-third of Americans resolve to improve themselves in various ways during the coming year.

How many actually keep them is another issue entirely. In fact, only one out of five resolution-makers had kept their promises two years later. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make them anyhow.
“In many ways, New Year’s resolutions can help us create clear goals, build enthusiasm and fight procrastination,” says Ronald Nathan, creator of the CD Relieving Your Holiday Stress and Achieving Your New Year’s Resolutions.

To improve your odds of success, stop stressing about it. The fact is, we’re probably going to backslide. According to Nathan, even successful resolvers reported an average of 14 such slipups or lapses. So the trick is to stay constructive.

“Avoid saying, ‘I’ve blown it and I’ll never be able to succeed,’” he suggests. “Replace this discouraging self-chatter with, ‘Tomorrow’s another day and I’m going to get on with keeping my New Year’s resolutions.’ You may have lost the battle, but don’t convince yourself that you’ve lost the war.”
So what have locals resolved for 2009? Here’s a sampling:

Based on the philosophy that if you keep doing things the same way, you get the same results, I’m going for different results next year by changing those things that didn’t work this year.
— Delores Bailey, executive director, EmPOWERment Inc., Chapel Hill

My resolution: To lower my blood pressure. My plan: Play more, work less. My doctor also recommends less fried food – but, hey, let’s be realistic.
— Brad Bonneville, Bonneville Renovation & Repair, Carrboro

I have only one resolution for 2009: Give more.
— Valerie Foushee, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, Chapel Hill

My 2009 resolution is to prioritize my 2008 resolutions.
— Tom Maxwell, singer/songwriter/musician, Pittsboro

I gave up New Year’s Resolutions for Lent.
— Mike Nelson, county commissioner, Hillsborough

Make amends with ruffled friends, push for hope, push for change, be more green, improve my cooking skills, eat more oysters.
— Tim Peck, Peck & Artisans, Carrboro

My resolution for 2009 is not to make resolutions. I’d just like to accept the rich gift of my life and live it, as well and deeply as I can. I know there are positive aspects to resolutions, but my soul wishes to disembark from the American ship of poisonous self-help.
— Gary Phillips, Pittsboro

I will finish my second novel in 2009.
— James Protzman, author/artist/activist, Chapel Hill

I think my new year’s resolution will be to meditate more.
— Ruby Sinreich, OrangePolitics.org, Chapel Hill

I resolve to let my workdays be guided by my highest priorities, not my inbox. And to make time for exercise so I can keep up with Conrad, who is walking at 10 months.
— Dave Thomas, director of social media for SAS, Carrboro

Here’s my resolution: to find new, better and more sustainable ways to use the power of successful businesses to close the opportunity gap between the rich and the rest in our society.
— Kevin Trapani, CEO of the Redwoods Group, Chapel Hill

Same resolution I have every year: not to use so many paper towels. Never achieve my goal.
— Daniel Wallace, author, Chapel Hill