It's Bill, 1/11/26: Resolutions

New Year’s Eve, Plans, and Reality

New Year’s Eve 2026 is in the past. As for celebrating, we were going to go to the Legion’s New Year’s Dance at 7. Then we heard there was a wedding reception starting at 2, continuing on through 7, when the public joined in, closing at 1 AM. And it was snowing. We opted to stay home. Too much fun for us for New Year’s Eve. Staying home went so well, we also stayed in on New Year’s Day. It’s always good to have a plan, even better to adapt to reality.

Resolutions and Rewarding Ourselves

Now that we’re starting our New Year, it’s a good time to fine-tune our resolutions. After all, we’re in a New Year; last year is history. So, now that we’ve decided to have a better year, we can celebrate our decisions with one more small morsel, one more glass, sleep in just a little. We can reward ourselves for our new resolutions. With resolve like this, we’ve already earned it. And can do so much more. Below you'll see Bill exercising his resolutions (with wine in hand) and later rewarding himself with some delicious turkey pot pie!

Weather, Conversations, and Good Intentions

Weather-wise, we’ve had an old-fashioned start to 2026 with a cold, snowy start to winter back in December. This weather has prompted most of us here in Lubec to believe better times must be coming; good weather is just around the corner. Lubecers are upbeat about the weather. We’ve gone through crummy weather before, we’re going to do it again. And we’re going to do it better than we ever did, having more fun, smiling all the way.

As we know, at this time of year, when we see each other and get together, we usually ask, “How are ya’ doing, what about this weather?” and reply correspondingly, “Doing OK, this weather sucks. How about you?” and so on. After a bit, one says to the other, full of resolve and good intentions, “Oh, I hear you, this is what you should do,” and then proceeds, in animated detail, to tell the other what they should do. One person shares with the other their own resolutions and wisdom for a better life, seeking to obtain a commonality of goodness. A lesser variant of “Do as I say, not as I do,” sending forth a pilgrim on the road to self-righteousness. Who says sharing our resolutions can’t be fun? Remember, giving advice can be easier than taking it.

Practical Resolutions for the Year Ahead

For sure, sharing resolutions and good intentions is positive. I believe we all wish each other and ourselves well. To have a better life is a common goal. Our resolutions should be practical, achievable, and compatible with each person’s ability. We must adapt our resolutions to the current reality.

Remember Bill’s words: “Do as I say, not as I do.” This is what resolutions are for . . . .

Starting the year on the Mediterranean Diet with a quiet New Year's meal at home, complete with a toast.