HAPPY NEW YEAR!
On this New Year's Day 2001 we once again think about the past and the future. We think about things done and things undone, hopes fulfilled and hopes dashed. We reminisce, we mourn, we celebrate, we plan, we participate in festivities, we rest.
I look back on more New Year's Days than most of you and I've had more time to make mistakes, to feel regret, to see plans fail than most of you. However, my age notwithstanding, I still look forward to each new year with anticipation, with new plans, with excitement, with hope. In the same way that a new year causes us to look back and regret our mistakes a new year is an occasion to look forward to the good things we can do in the months ahead, to the plans that will succeed, to the help we can give others, to the fun we will have in working towards our goals, to the new year and many years ahead.
Like many others, I make resolutions each year and at the end of each year I realize I've failed to succeed in many of my resolutions. However, also like many others, I forget some of my resolutions each year so I don't have so many failures to look back on. This year, I've decided to reveal my resolutions here. Next year, I won't be able to forget these resolutions. I hope this makes them easier to keep.
1. I resolve to be more sensitive to the hopes and fears of my friends and colleagues. I intend to think first about others before I ask for favors and try to avoid putting others into situations which they fear, no matter how groundless I may find the fear.
2. I resolve to thank others cheerfully for everything they do for me, no matter how obvious I think my gratitude is. Even if people already see gratitude, a word of thanks won't offend them.
3. I resolve to seek the unhappy in my circle of friends and colleagues and try to help them feel better. Even if I can only do small things, I will find some way to improve their lives.
(I'll list more of my resolutions next week. For now, go and enjoy your day.)(1-1-01)
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR INTERNET GRANDFATHER!!!!!
Coming next: Resolutions (2)