With today’s issue being our first one of the new year, I thought I would write about new year’s resolutions.
Checking around on the Internet, I found listed on the website USA.com the most popular resolutions for 2014. They were lose weight, volunteer to help others, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, get fit, eat healthy food, manage stress, manage debt, take a trip, reduce/reduce/recycle and drink less alcohol.
Although I think those are admirable goals to try to achieve, I thought I would reach out to my friends on Facebook to see what they were striving for resolution-wise for 2015. Below are those replies.
Jeraldine Saunders (author of The Love Boats) To always remember that my friends and family are number one
Blair Cohn (executive director, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association) I resolve to maintain and deepen my love affair with Bixby Knolls, its businesses and its people; to keep pushing the envelope; to contribute to the City of Long Beach’s overall vitality; to give smooches to Alissa (and Annie)… and to lose 10 pounds
Diane Harkink Sorry, but [I] don’t believe in [resolutions]. But, a family tradition my dad always did at midnight was to write the new year’s number (i.e. 2015) on a slip of paper and put [it] in your pocket for the next week. That was supposedly part 1 for bringing you good luck in the new year. His part 2 for bringing good luck was to immediately eat either pickled or creamed herring on a cracker! Weird tradition, I know, but you remember my father. We do it every year. [Note from Neena: Yes, Diane, I remember your father. He was a hoot!]
Al Austin (8th District Long Beach councilmember) My new year’s resolution will be to focus on fitness and healthy living. As a councilmember, I want to be credible as I promote a more healthy community in Long Beach. Happy new year!!
Judie Jacobus To continue to serve my community as much as possible and make a positive impact on the lives that I touch.
Alexandra Ettinger Collins I do not believe in new year’s resolutions. If you need to make a change, do it now. Waiting til New Year’s is putting it off. Most resolutions may be too fantastic or delusional. Chipping away at smaller, realistic and immediate goals is more effective and longer-lasting than giant, unattainable, showy proclamations.
Terry Rogers (president of the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce) To work intentionally daily at being the healthiest both emotionally and physically; to slow down and work on balance in my personal life; to take time off to take a vacation
Tonia Reyes Uranga To grow an edible garden; more time with my family and less time looking at council meetings
Larry Forester (Signal Hill vice mayor) I am thankful for this year and wish for a healthy 2015.
Bill Pearl (publisher of lbreport.com) To be here next year
Karen Sharif To retire and enjoy life
Julie Woolley I resolve to be consciously grateful every day. Thankful for friends, family, good health and the gift of being able to do something meaningful everyday.
Dianne T. McNinch To remember small kindnesses and forgive small faults more often
Mike Cristiano To walk away from all the drama and people who create it. To surround myself with people that support me as I do support them— people that make me laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. I will love the people that treat me right and pray for the ones that don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living.
Ricardo Linarez Finish my master’s in public administration at CSULB
Cory Allen Mine is to travel more this year, even small trips like to Palm Springs or San Francisco. Trying to take more time to enjoy life.
Michael S. Gatov I gave up new year’s resolutions for Lent.
Jessica Berry My resolution for 2015 is to make it and myself the best that it and I can be.
Charles Kluger To help more people than the year before
Desiree Dold To not make any resolutions before I finish the resolutions from 2013 and 2014
[Note from Neena: My resolutions for 2015 are to clean up my language and to spend more time with friends and family. Although I love my work, I need to let the important people in my life know that they are important to me.]
