Resolutions

Friends,

I remember as a child earnestly making New Year's resolutions, most of which were probably soon ignored or forgotten. What was your experience? But I am still tempted to try to declare my resolutions for a healthier more satisfactory life again this year. So I am trying again with a quirky resolution to auto screen my decisions about my time, my diet, and my purchases, and other daily options by focusing on the difference between what I want and what I need. In terms of what I purchase or how I use my time, the goal, of course, is to particularly skew my decisions toward what I need rather than what I want. Do I really need all my magazine subscriptions just because I want them? Do I want to go for my walk versus do I need to go for my walk? Do I want or need to make that call or write that sensitive note? But more commonly, do I really “want" to spend so much time with emails and the news as much as I seem to compulsively “need” to read them several times a day. 

And then there’s the space in between needing and wanting. I have a lot of options in my daily life. Sometimes I really need to “waste” time on the web or doing a crossword puzzle. And sometimes when I want an afternoon or bedtime snack I will depend on my “do-I-need" intention to practice healthier eating, with less sugar, and loosing weight.  

The dictionary definition of a resolution is "a firm decision to do or not do.” I like the solid commitment, but I also want to avoid the “gotcha” trap of feeling guilty when my resolution is forgotten or ignored. The best I can do, perhaps, is just post my resolution on my bulletin board as a “firm” reminder. WHAT DO I WANT VERSUS WHAT DO I NEED?

Now the serious part of what is on my heart and mind: As I age I am increasingly aware of how important it is for me to use my time and diminishing capacities as carefully as possible. Yes, I still want to immerse myself actively in the threats of authoritarianism that daily shake my world  And I want to actively engage in the struggle of how we can face down all that frightens and threatens us in climate issues, wars, and wealth disparity. But mostly I need a firm resolution to witness to the practice of nonviolence and the grace of kindness and love and truth. I actually need to read the news and stories of courage and integrity during times when I often feel so betrayed by leadership. I need to remember the bravery of the past and recognize the evil and horror of which our species is capable. But I also need and want to support those with vision for an economic policy that at least tries to follow the biblical account of a God of mercy and kindness and inclusiveness for all, especially the marginalized, that is the heart of the recorded teaching of Jesus. 

So when I ask the difference (if any) between what I want and what I need, I do so within my best intentions to live with integrity toward the earth, each other, and myself. I want to join with others who also resolve to bring us closer to a society committed to the common good.

If you are making New Year's resolutions, may they be the spirit of both service, stewardship of the earth, self care, and the simple joy of honoring the privilege of being alive.

Blessings and peace to you for 2026,
Tom