Let’s face it: It’s pretty darn difficult to make any kind of resolutions for 2013 when we have just narrowly escaped The Rapture, The Mayan Calendar Flaw, and Mitt Romney. And, with only a few days to go, we are perched on the edge of The Fiscal Cliff and the only people who can save us are a bunch of pissed off Congresspersons who will have to come back from vacation early. The days are starting to feel more like a Hopscotch game, where we are forced to hop on one leg and the lines are squiggly and we have back problems and a fake knee.
So this year, let’s resolve to leave things sort of open. Here are some handy tips for success in the coming year:
Let’s start by finding an ancient civilization that predicted that the year 2013 would end on December 31, and not anytime sooner. (There must be one, if we look hard enough). That way, we can spend more time and energy actually living. We can also support the fresh food industry, instead of the canned goods industry, which, come to think of it, was probably behind the stockpile-for-the-apocalypse mentality anyway.
Let’s spout opinions that are based on something other than a five second sound bite or what Uncle Bart believes. Let’s occasionally listen to talk radio that doesn’t consist of hosts who scream at non-human decibel levels. In other words, let’s take a moment verify what we hear.
Every single day let’s tell the people we love that we love them.
Let’s elect people to public office who want to be there. Mitt Romney’s son Tagg said “He (Mitt) wanted to be president less than anyone I’ve met in my life. If he could have found someone else to take his place . . . he would have been ecstatic to step aside.” Tagg (doesn’t this sound suspiciously like Tripp?) said his father is a “private person” who wanted to help put the country back on its feet, but hated the limelight that came with presidential politics. So can we decide to elect people to public office who 1. Run because they actually want to be in public service 2. Run because they want to change government, not stop it 3. Run with ideals, not dogma.
Let’s go for one day, pretending that our lives aren’t more important than anyone else’s. Let’s stop at the red light. Let’s not cut in line in the store. Let’s hold the door open for the person behind us. Let’s not speak until the other person is finished saying what he has to say. If we survive that for one day, let’s try for a second.
Let’s look at children as the only hope we’ve got for the future of the world. Let’s look at the elderly as the only hope we’ve got for where we, ourselves, are headed. Both ends of the human age spectrum have to be protected and treated with dignity. We haven’t been doing a great job with either, so far. Let’s try to do better.
Let’s take one issue we are passionate about and do more than talk about it. Write to your Congressperson. Send a letter to the editor. Send money. March. Volunteer. Do something. Let’s not look back at 2013 and just say our jobs were more lucrative or we took lots of vacations or our house was the biggest and the best or our children were the most beautiful and the most accomplished and the most intelligent. A lot of us want some or all of that. There is nothing new there.
Let’s embrace what is unresolved in the world. Let’s look back and say we did one thing in 2013 that we had never done before, one thing that we thought could benefit someone/everyone. One thing that could change the world, if enough people did the same thing. One thing. One.
*****
The previous is a perfect lead in to the new post on www.guerrillaaging.wordpress.com, in which I interview Betty Londergan. In 2010, at an age and in economic circumstances that could have easily resulted in Betty’s dabbling in some kind of volunteer work, hanging out at the country club and/or watching her mani/pedi dry, she chose another path. That path led her to create What Gives 365, giving away $100/day for 365 to worthy people and organizations, and to write a blog about it, www.whatgives365.wordpress.com. When that year ended, Betty dreamed up another blogging venture for herself and became the volunteer Global Blogging Ambassador for Heifer International, traveling around the world and writing about the projects Heifer creates in developing countries on her current blog www.heifer12x12.wordpress.com. In addition to her heartfelt writing, she takes spectacular photos.
Laurie Mirkin
December 27, 2012
Definitely something to think about. I don’t want to leave this earth without having done something great for mankind. I’ve been meditating on that for the last two months. I don’t want my gravestone to say “she was a nice lady”. I want it to say “she fought for blah blah blah blah and her life was well and unselfishly lived. The problem is, I’m still meditating. If I’m still meditating and drop dead, it will say “she was a good meditator .” Argh!
Barneysday
December 27, 2012
If I were your advisor, I’d say its time to stop meditating, get off your pillow and get your mind out of your self, and just go out there and do something! There are so many areas that need our help, to continue to waste valuable time that you could be helping mankind in some manner looking for the perfect gift to humanity can be considered narcissistic at worst. If you truly want to help, just do it!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
OK, before I get serious, let me say you are hilarious, Laurie. Now, I’ll say this: You are so special. Methinks you should start spreading the special around, Lady. There are kids and adults who need tutors, causes that need voices, politics that need changing. And you are such a good writer. You can use that, as well. xxoo
Lunar Euphoria
December 27, 2012
Love your writing. 🙂
And I am thoroughly enjoying Betty Londergan’s posts! Thanks for the introduction.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
You are welcome. Betty is one of my heroes, and I still can’t figure out how she looks so darned good in the middle of nowhere.
Barneysday
December 27, 2012
This is an excellent piece, and one that I totally ascribe to. I found you to have a theme among your ideas of helping others, and reaching out beyond the self. Wonderful!
Great blog, thanks for sharing it with us.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
You are welcome, Barney. Yikes, if we don’t change the world, who will, right?
BABYBOOMER johanna van zanten
December 27, 2012
Love the photo. If the man beside the woman is her husband, I understand her reason for putting the bottle to her mouth: he looks dried up already. Good intentions too expressed in your post. I resolve to live in the moment and enjoy what I encounter during this last third of my life, taking my lessons from people in countries that are less rich, pampered and dissatisfied. It seems the more materialistic things people ‘have” the more they want (in north America). The gifts of connection with others and appreciation for differences between us are within us.
Happy New Year.
johanna
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Same to you, Johanna. Stuff, stuff, stuff. We are all drowning in it, aren’t we. But it doesn’t seem to make us feel more fulfilled, does it. I love cute shoes. But I love to wear them when I am out in the world, doing something positive.
pegoleg
December 27, 2012
Both ends of the human life spectrum have to be protected…So true.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
A society is only as strong as its most vulnerable members. I didn’t make that up, but I have no idea who did. Hey Peg, are you going to write a piece for Guerrilla Aging?
SocietyRed
December 27, 2012
I’m in! Let’s do this!
Great post!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Thanks, Red!
oldervoter
December 27, 2012
Great post. Thanks for a refreshing way to look at the blank slate that is 2013. I’m on to write my congressman. Again.
Susan in TX
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
I love that. Again.
Carl D'Agostino
December 27, 2012
Now this is a sensible plan.
Deborah the Closet Monster
December 27, 2012
Seconding Carl.
Can you please be our president, Renee? Pretty please?
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
I would be a serious mess as President, unless I was excused from all meetings/gatherings in which I wasn’t in charge. And the ones I would be in charge of would last a very short time. There are certain world leaders and politicians who I would have no patience with. I’d probably get up and say, “Excuse me for leaving, but you are making my hemorroids itch.”
Susan in TX
December 27, 2012
LOL. And that adds value to my day.
speaker7
December 27, 2012
I’m definitely down with stopping the whole apocalypse-is-nigh style of thinking.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Seriously. The Apocalypse is so yesterday.
mercyn620
December 27, 2012
Great list of resolutions.
No end of world 2013 predictions (that I know of), but NASA predicts possible solar event causing major problems, and an Indian scientist predicts a major destructive event, but not the end of the world. So those who want to start worrying and stockpiling tunafish may as well begin now.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
I seriously love tuna fish. I’ll fight anyone who stockpiles it.
Lynn Schneider
December 27, 2012
Great post. Makes me think. I need to read this once a day, every day, in 2013.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Oh my. Had I known that, I would have been completely intimidated while writing it.
Lynne Spreen
December 27, 2012
You’re such a flippin’ Commie.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
I love you, too.
Patti Winker
December 27, 2012
Excellent! You have given me hope for a brighter 2013 and my new ‘word’ for the year. Each year, rather than resolving to do something (or quit doing something) I choose a word. I believe 2013’s word will be “Challenge.” That’s what you’re asking us to do, I think: challenge ourselves to quit talking and start listening and doing. Thanks! This was a great post!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Thanks, Patti. I’m farklempt. Really.
Audrey
December 27, 2012
This is great! I’ve been working on my Bucket List for the year and this is a great reminder as I write it out. 🙂 Wishing you a very wonderful 2013!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Thanks, Audrey, and the same to you.
cindyricksgers
December 27, 2012
Wonderful suggestions!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 27, 2012
Thanks, Cindy.
vyvacious
December 27, 2012
I like the way you think.
Renee Fisher
December 28, 2012
And I like people who like the way I think. Can I just think for everyone?
vyvacious
December 30, 2012
Please. As long as you’re sure to include Batman and cupcakes in your thinking of me 😛
benzeknees
December 28, 2012
While we’re treating our children with dignity & respect, let’s not forget they also require discipline & boundaries on what is acceptable & what is not acceptable. Not to limit their creativity, but to make them useful & welcome members of society.
Renee Fisher
December 28, 2012
YES, YES, YES!!! I was thinking of all the children who are being abused and/or neglected and our responsibility to change that, even though they aren’t “our” offspring. Your comment deserves it’s own post!
Rich Geisel
December 28, 2012
What I really can appreciate and envy at the same time is how when we only blog we are “suggesting” action. When we blog and run a non-profit suggesting ways of taking that action we are “pushy”. I hope in 2013 more folks will recognize that “pushy” is the same as “suggesting”. Thanks for the post
ldsrr91
December 28, 2012
Very good! Loved every word of it.
LDS
Renee Fisher
December 28, 2012
Thanks, LDS!
Tori Nelson
December 28, 2012
A refreshing resolution post. Definitely a nice break from the “TO DO: Lose Weight, Find Spray Tan & A Man” talk of new year changes I’ve been hearing 🙂
Renee Fisher
December 28, 2012
Thanks, Tori, but if you do find a good spray tan, let me know.
Susan in TX
December 28, 2012
LOL.
chlost
December 28, 2012
That photo is amazing. The cross on the wall is the topper. Your ideas are great. Great change starts with just an idea. Let’s go!
Renee Fisher
December 29, 2012
Thanks. Yes, our society needs a priority realignment. I love the photos I come across online.
Jean Peelen
December 29, 2012
Renee thank you.
Renee Fisher
December 29, 2012
xxoo
Valentine Logar
December 29, 2012
Rather than hurting my brain trying to think of relevant New Year Resolutions, most of which I will fail at anyway, may I please kindly just adopt these. Here are my reasons:
1. They make far more sense.
2. They are within the realm of possibility of me actually achieving (some)
3. They might actually improve some small part of the world around me.
4. They might actually touch others and thus improve the lives of others.
5. They have nothing to do with my weight or appearance thus don’t create guilt.
Thank you. You are free to tell me to think of my own by the way, but these are far better and I will simply steal and re-word.
Renee Fisher
December 30, 2012
I’m honored, Valentine. Adopt away. Can I add one more, like sending me coffee Haagen Dazs at regular intervals?
Valentine Logar
December 30, 2012
Oh Yes Please
dlehman127
January 2, 2013
Wow – awesome post!! Loved it.
Life in the boomer lane
January 3, 2013
Thanks!