On not making new year resolutions

The second day…

Veronica: So how did you spend new year’s day?

Virgil: Started off good. Drone caught a brilliant sunrise over the estuary.

Veronica: And the rest of the day in a hammock looking out over the water?

Virgil: Not as laid back as that. Son got Covid so there was a bit of delivering of antivirals.

Veronica: Oh no, tough start to the year. Is he okay?

Virgil: Some fever, I hear. I don’t go in the apartment though.

Veronica: Make any resolutions?

Virgil: I got guidance from an article titled, Twenty-second New Year resolutions.

Veronica: Example?

Virgil: Don’t make any.

_______

Voice-over

Not making any new year resolutions has advantages:

Reduced Pressure and Stress: Avoid anxiety and failure.

Flexibility: Rigid goals can be a burden.

Focus on the Present: Enjoy the journey.

Ongoing Self-reflection: More continuous evaluation.

Encourages Realistic Goal Setting: New Year resolutions can be unrealistic and not so achievable.

New Year Resolutions

New Year resolutions…

Aurora: You made some?

Zara: I read somewhere that new year resolutions are mostly abandoned by February. So no, I didn’t. And you?

Aurora: I do every year. Walk more, eat less. Help others. 

Zara: Your mantras?

Aurora: You could say that. But I place more importance on projects. Like three mountain climbs. Needs training and preparation. Like three articles. Gather materials, interview people and meet deadlines. And volunteer for three ventures. Listen to others, lend a hand.

________

Voice-over

Do the mainly health and financial resolutions fizzle because they are not well defined? Abstract concepts like “lose weight” or “save more” can benefit from qualifiers like “how much” and “by when”.  

2020 Binocular White Rabbit

White rabbits are mainly monocular

But 2020 Rabbit has an adjustment ocular,

Eyeballs swiveled to midway binocular;

May we all have a 2020 spectocular.

WHITE RABBIT 

WHITE RABBIT 

WHITE RABBIT

20/20, 20/20, 20/20

New Year White Rabbit

First day of the new year…

WHITE RABBIT WHITE RABBIT WHITE RABBIT

Fresh affirmation of good luck.

 

First day of the new year…

Fresh apparel affirming the power of white rabbits.

First day of the new year…

Fresh carrots affirming the importance of natural foods.

Say WHITE RABBIT, eat carrots, lots,

And longevity and levity is assured.

New year resolutions

Out with the old, in with the new.

...

VVVV: We should do something auspicious.
VV:      Yes. Aus – Australian?
VVVV: Of course not. Something fireworksy. In keeping with the occasion. It is, after all…
VV:      Yes.  You said.
VVVV: How about we write down all the habits we want to leave behind in 2009?
VV:      Like?
VVVV: Like not procrastinating. What you do, is you write down on paper all the things you’re NOT going to do this year.
VV:      A sort of reverse resolution?
VVVV: Clear the decks. No more sleeping all weekend. No more tantrums. No more useless boyfriends.
VV:      And then?
VVVV: You burn the paper. Bingo, all the old habits have gone and you start the new year with a fresh set of good ones.
VV:      That easy?
VVVV: Piece of cake Believe me.

________________
Voice-over

New year resolutions are as old as new years.  We make them, we break them. And often, it is those who are most gung-ho about making them who end up breaking them as the year unfolds. Vocal and vociferous Valerie Va Va Voom is adamant about ousting the old while the vapid Violet Vichy needs a little leading.

...

Beaut day Trev

Over the back fence…

...

Fred: Beaut day Trev!

Trev: Sorlright. Happy New Year. Been away?

Fred: Down south a bit. Obligatory new year parental drop-in.

Trev: Aah. Make any new year rezzies?

Fred: The usual. Eat less, walk more.

Trev: Ha! Any chance of that happening?

...

Greeting cards

Kenneth, a lawyer working on carbon agreements, shares a weariness of festive cards with Kumiko who has been interpreting for the American team.

...

Kenneth: Americans send a Christmas card. Usually it’s got a bunch of deer pulling a fat man in red. Same every year.

Kumiko: We send cards too. Same every year.

Kenneth: But you change the animal. What’s next year?

Kumiko: Rat. Year of the rat.

Kenneth: Auspicious?

Kumiko: For rats, maybe. They might get a little more protection than usual.

...