New Year's Resolutions

The beginning of a new year may be an artificial transition created by the nature of our calendar, but it's real in that we define our lives by that calendar. So, it might not be such a bad idea to use the break to reflect on one's self and resolve to make changes. This year, I intend to make one that (1) will have a positive effect and (2) is within my nature to do.

But first, let's look at my past resolutions.

In 2002 I wrote my resolutions down. They were:
Stretch daily - success, but only for that year
Begin regular cardio exercise - nope
Improve diet - success with the start of Atkins
Stop clapping hands loudly in the house - I made great strides here

In 2003, my resolutions were:
Organize finances and write wills - nope
Begin regular biking/walking around neighborhood - nope
Stop yelling in anger - nope, poor kids get the brunt of my wrath
Write my book of days - nope, my inability to stick to writing will be my legacy

In 2004, my resolutions were:
Organize finances and write wills - success, but it's 2006 and I need to revisit this
Begin regular biking/walking around neighborhood - nope
Stop yelling in anger - nope, poor kids still get the brunt of my wrath
Write my book of days - nope, my inability to stick to writing will be my legacy

In 2005, I don't have a log of my resolutions. I probably surrendered in despair, but I can't prove it.

Now it's about to be 2006, and I need something at which I can succeed. My resolution is:
Kiss my wife more, and kiss her passionately at least once a day.

I think this will have positive repercussions and it's something that even I should be able to do. We'll see come December 2006...

Misguided Parents and Unguided Children

Child-rearing is an awesome responsiblity. It is the undertaking that forms the next generation, even at the expense of extreme demands on the parents. It is a noble pursuit, which is why many worthless people pursue it: in the hope of achieving purpose and nobility.

Unfortunately, it seems most parents don't live up to the demands. They seek the benefits, but without the reciprocal hardships. Perhaps it's human nature since it seems most people everywhere seek reward without work and avoid consequences even if it means bringing hardship on another.

But back to parents.

I could go on about the spineless, undisciplined parent who passes on his or her sins by refusing to put in the effort necessary to develop self-discipline in his or her scions. Often this is a result of laziness, but sometimes it's due to a foolish perception of compassion. There are actually myriad topics that could be presented to demonstrate how parenting is an awful profession for the selfish among us, but here I'll just focus on the public behavior of children.

Children do need to be allowed to express themselves; they are vibrant living creatures that are sponges of learning. But, they also shouldn't be allowed to run wild and unchecked in public areas if it means their entitlement to freedom will infringe on others' entitlement to tranquility. Parents: think of others for a change and not of only your desire to be be free of monitoring of your chosen charges. You opted for the responsibility of children; do not force that responsibility on the casual stranger.

Too often our cultural emphasis on freedom and individual rights gets taken to the extreme. Too many people have developed a selfish sense of entitlement that undermines our ability to function as a civil community. This includes most rush hour commuters, and some of you parents out there.

The rights of any one individual — whether he or she be a parent, child, or stranger — do not negate the rights of others. This means you.