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Dictionary.com defines "resolution" as, "A resolving to do something."  Generally when the New Year comes about, people make "New Year's resolutions."  These are usually termed as resolving to do something or change something about ones self after the New Year begins.  New Year's Resolutions are common among many people, including several of our TPSers.  That being said, I found five willing victims...erm...students, who let me ask them a few questions about their opinions on New Year's resolutions.

We'll start with Lattany Lamons.  Known to TPSers as LattanyL, Lattany provided us with a bit of history on New Year's Resolutions.  "The Romans began the practice of New Year's resolutions before the church was established.  At that time, March 1 marked the beginning of the New Year and a time at which many would make moral resolutions, usually surrounding being generally kind to others.  When Rome adopted Christianity, they traded this somewhat mediocre occasion for a time of prayer and fasting aimed at re-committing their lives to Christ, in the New Year.  Unfortunatley, much of the original meaning in this tradition has been lost, and New Year's resolutions are now too often feel-good statement with little meaning behind them and, in the case of Christians, little Biblical support for the concept of the tradition."  Based on this, and support from Scripture, Lattany states that she does not believe in "New Year's resolutions."  Lattany says, "I do not plan to make any "New Year's resolutions," but I will no doubt make many resolutions in the new year.  These, however, will not be to lose weight, quit smoking, or spend less time on the computer (although that certainly wouldn't hurt!).  Rather, they will be resolutions to live each day in the light of eternity, for 'while bodily exercise is of some value goldiness is of value in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.'"

JessicaP, also known as Jessica Paul, has a slightly different view on New Year's resolutions than Lattany.  "I think New Year's resolutions are great if the person actually follows through with them," states Jessica.  "It can be a great accomplishment if they're actually completed, but they're completely useless if they're forgotten after a few weeks."  Jessica says she usually makes New Year's resolutions "because it's nice to have a fresh start.  It's also exciting to think that by this time next year, I'll have completed my goals."  Last year Jessica successfully kept three of the five resolutions that she made.  "I realized that several of my resolutions weren't important to me after a few months and I didn't feel that they were worth keeping."  This year, Jessica plans to make resolutions again, because she's realized the importance of making specific resolutions and ones that can actually be kept for an entire year.

Our interview continues with ElisabethS (Elisabeth Sepulveda).  Elisabeth agrees with Jessica and thinks that New Year's resolutions are important "because they give you a goal in which to work towards.  Each year you can set the bar higher in each [of] the physical, mental, and spiritual areas of your life, and it gives you a sense of achievement when you reach them."  Although Elisabeth doesn't make "New Year's resolutions" every year, she says she finds the process of making resolutions--whether at the beginning of the year, or at any point in the year--very helpful.  However, when Elisabeth does make resolutions, she does her best to keep them for the entire year.  Despite the fact that she did not make any resolutions last year, Elisabeth plans to make them again this year.  "I am aiming to make the competitive team in gymnastics by spring, and to stop procrastinating my school so I will continue getting A's.  I also would like to read through the Bible and start earning money to help pay for my gymnastics lessons," says Elisabeth.

Finally, a different side of the story: opinions about New Year's resolutions from a male, Brenden Kelley. Brenden says, "My general opinion on New Year's Resolutions is not too favorable.  I have always thought that if one wanted to change something then one should just do it, not wait until a new year starts and then say 'I will change this year.'  This only leads to a mind set of putting stuff off every year.  Although I hold nothing against those who make New Year's resolutions I myself do not agree with them."  As obviously biased by the previous statement, Brenden does not make New Year's resolutions every year.  Brenden says, "I believe that many people this year will make a New Year's resolution.  I hope that this change they are trying to make is a noble cause and that God causes them to have the grace to finish the course that they set."

Our final opinion comes from Molly Clune, otherwise known as MollyC.  Molly says that she thinks New Year's resolutions are great, "but people usually go a little overboard with them."  She makes resolutions every year, but they're things she knows she'll "only be able to keep for a few days at the most: ex. - only spend a dollar on candy a week.  I guess I just do the resolutions because it's tradition, it also helps that it makes easy money when we bet on who can keep a certain resolution the longest!"  Although she doesn't usually, Molly says that she did keep one resolution for the entire year.  "I had to save all of my money for the next Christmas unless I absolutely needed it.  Something like that anyway."  She is not sure what her resolutions this year will be yet, but she still plans to make them.  Her final comment was, "A resolution is a sort of promise.  A promise to yourself.  Try to keep them as long as you can this year!"

 

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