It's that time of the year folks - and I
thought it might be fun to share a few
Resolutions with each other as the New Year
approaches.

One of my major ones this time will be to
stop trying to please others - concentrate
more on pleasing myself - just a little -
for a change. Part and parcel of this is -
to stop holding things in. Let it rip -
and say what I really think instead of
consistently being afraid of offending someone.

All of my life I've always been
concerned more about the happiness of other people.
Whether it was my brothers (both my parents worked
full time, and the running of the household and care
of my brothers was left up to me - even though I was
a youngster myself at the time). Or whether it was
caring for my husband and children. I've always put
myself last. Then at work - it was a matter of
always trying to always do the right thing, et cetera.
To hell with that - hopefully I can break free in
the New Year.

We'll see.

Love to hear from you ...

Why wait?

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Dear Foxy,

I wish you success in your resolution and a happy new year.

Taking care of yourself will be an indirect boon for many others.

About 15 years ago I made one, & have succeeded in keeping it all these years.

It was to never make another New Year's Resolution, ever again.

At last I found one I could keep.

Foxy, do not be sad that you have been concerned about the happiness of others, and cared about the ones you loved. There is nothing greater in life that can be achieved than that.
...But take a little time for yourself as well.

My resolution as far as the forum is concerned, is I will stop going easy of the 'Right Wing Ratbags' and 'Usual Suspects' nolonger wishing not to offend their sensibilities!

What happened to Individual? Did he fall out of his tree up there in the Deep Deep North! Has not posted for some time.

Dear Foxy,

We have different problems. I don't believe I have been concerned enough about the feelings of others. I hope to be kinder and more aware of the feelings of others. At times I have been too gullible accepting what should be questioned or making up my mind on a matter too quickly making assumptions rather than finding out more. I will try not to rush into judgment.

However, the reality is that our New Year is only one of many - Chinese, Jewish, Muslim etc., and used to be March 1. We still keep the name October which means the eighth month even though it is now the tenth month. The reality is also that I will go on much as before as do the men in the poem.

All men are pioneers within their hearts.
They are forever seeking wilderness.
Behind strong teams they ride in hooded carts,
Avid for life, and masterless.

They would take their women west or north,
They would invade a country terrible with peril,
They would eternally be riding forth
Out of the cities they have found so sterile.

In their hearts they are forever cutting clover,
They are forever drawing water from a well.
In their dreams they are observing, over and over,
The ground they would clear the forests they would fell.

They are dreaming of lands that sprawl
Unfound, or unimagined, or forgot ...
Knowing they will not leave the town at all,
As like as not.

Lionel Wiggam