Joy and I have been travelling the last few days, having spent most of this New Year’s Day in airports. But there’s still time to make some resolutions. It’s been a ritual of mine for years. If nothing else it helps me put the old year behind me.
This year, though, I’ve decided to do something different. As futile as it may sound, I want to offer some help to our political leaders in Washington by making resolutions for 2013 they would never make for themselves. I know, it probably won’t do any good, but it made me feel better anyway. I hope it does the same for you. So here goes.
#1: Do no harm.
It’s the least you can do for the nation.
#2: Do what’s right for the most people.
Serving the few hurts the rest of us.
#3: Look at yourself in the mirror every day.
It might improve your conscience.
#4: Don’t ask us to do what you wouldn’t do yourself.
Maybe you will go to war less often.
#5: Have some character.
You might find out it’s a pretty good thing to have.
#6: Don’t forget where you came from.
It might help you stay closer to where you ought to be.
#7: Keep in mind that who your friends are says as much about you as them.
The people around you will help make or break you,
#8: Try to listen before you speak instead of speaking before you’ve listened.
It will do you and us a world of good.
#9: Don’t tell us what we want until you’ve taken the time to find out.
This one depends on how well you do the one before it.
#10: Remember there’s no such thing as not having a choice.
It’s the only way you will take responsibility for your decisions.
#11: Remember that money counts, but not for everything.
Who you are when you are alone counts a lot more.
#12: Remember what you mother told you.
She knew things about helping others you have not yet learned.
As I said, these are “resolutions” for the New Year none of our politicians would make for themselves. But they could do a lot worse. In fact, given what is going on even as I write, they already are. And the New Year just started!
