10 Unusual Resolutions

Once again we are surrounded by magazines with the usual year end tripe about New Years resolutions.  Mostly, these articles promote eating less, losing weight, exercising, saving more money, taking up a hobby and the perennial favorite...less stress. But while any of one these things are certainly worthy of commitment, (I actually want to lose 5 pounds this year) for most of us they just muster up little more than a yawn.

Since I spend much of my time working with companies and individuals on developing and expanding their ability to improvise and invent new things, I figured I'd toss my own list of unique suggestions for resolutions into the static din of the year end hullabaloo.

1.) Stand Up.  Commit yourself to taking a stand for something. No...that doesn't mean writing a check and sending it off in a Vera Wang envelope. Stand Up for someone or something that will not only make a difference to the cause, but to you.

2.) Sit Down. Make a commitment to sit down and have a conversation with someone important to you, or a complete stranger. Sit down.

3.) Shut Up. Okay...this is hard even for me but, shut up will you?  The world is so full of yammering; what better resolution could we have than to spend more time with our mouths shut, just listening, or sitting. You don't have to commit to seated meditation or spending time with the Quakers, just...shut up for a minute.

4.) Use A Dictionary. Where did you learn the words you understand and use? School?  Hardly, nearly 99% of the language we use was picked up in the context of conversations we heard. Given that words and language create our culture, our relationships, that define the terms of agreement with everyone else, perhaps we could read a dictionary, or have the latest dictionary app. Don't do this so you can use fancy sounding, multi-sylabic words, instead, use the dictionary to investigate assumptions, to gain greater affection for meaning and clarity. Keep it with you all of the time! Investigate.

5.) Mind Your Own Damn Business. When did it become fashionable to stick your nose into everyone elses private affairs? Knowing where Lindsay Lohan went to the toilet or Johnny Depp bought a milk shake is utterly useless information, and it's indicative of a growing facination with what everyone else is doing. It might make you happier and healthier to leave well enough alone, and focus on the only person you can manipulate and control...yourself. 

6.) Enjoy Eating!  Haven't we heard enough from the chattering class about all the bad stuff we are eating? Come on, leave me alone with my double chocolate swirl cake and all those calories, because it tastes sooo good. Joy is important, and if eating pancakes or french fries makes you happy, then by all means enjoy them. Moderation.

7.) Trust Others.  Oh my, if we believe what we see on TV, we're all divided and ready to go to war with our neighbors. Television sells ratings, and there are ratings to be found in polemic reporting, but the people in my neighborhood aren't planning on revolution anytime soon. This year, vow to trust others, even those you don't always agree with. If we want this country to flourish we can't continue cultivating the idea that we can't trust those we disagree with, those we don't know, or those that choose a different lifestyle. We're going to be okay, get over it! Why not practice sitting down with someone who differs from you, see what you find, and make no attempt to change their mind. Trust.

8.) Don't Be An A-hole.  We now have several competing television networks with hours of programing dedicated to, and promoting a-holes. We have rallies where tens of thousands of a-holes show up carrying signs about other a-holes. Speak up, speak your mind of course, enter the fray but if possible, please, perhaps you could refrain from actually being an asshole.

9.) Quit Working Out. Walk, ride a bike, row a boat and take it easy for crying out loud. If working up a sweat in the gym peaks your mojo, or streatching out with yoga keeps your yin from yanging, then keep at it. Otherwise, chill out.. Breathe.

10.) Go To The Opeara. What?  I don' t know if you actually need to go to the opera, but try consuming something that hasn't been premeasured. Popular culture is fine, but there exists an entire world of music and art that is provocative, different, frequently uncomfortable, and hidden. Try listening and consuming things that exceed your limits of taste or you don't usually like. Try listening to things that are uncomfortable. I've been taking in opeara (Met Opera HD),  I'm listening to hard core old style country music, punk, and ambient noise, and discovered an entirely new landscape of ideas and images.

That's the list...so get at it, or not.

Happy New Years!

Comments

[Mike Wilson]

Vera Wang makes envelopes? Now THAT's entrepreneurship.

[Carr Hagerman]

Yeah...they're very girlie, and I love them!

[Bill Hermann]

Well done Carr