The O’Toole Chronicles: Reflections

The New Year is upon us and I’m bracing myself to hear the many resolutions that our friends and neighbors will profess. We all know, much like the Alaskan salmon as they embark upon the great spawn, tens of thousands of well-meaning fish will never complete the journey. The same is true of the list of new resolutions – doomed by Mother Nature.

While I am a bit cynical about the ability of some (most) to keep earnest well-meaning resolutions, I do think it is a great exercise to try and be better in the future and make a plan to improve who and what you are in the shiny New Year.

To assist the good people of Gotham, I have drawn up a list of ideas that might give birth to some long-standing resolutions, ones that actually stand a chance of surviving this upcoming New Year. Here goes nothing .

1) Just be a better Person;
2) Do at least one selfless deed a day;
3) Do more charity this year – donate more time and donate more money;
4) Find a lonely friend or relative and make time weekly or monthly to check in;
5) Say “hello” and “thank you” with great frequency;
6) Rid yourself of negativity;
7) Stop the hate of a hurt or grudge gone bye;
8) Forgive the person who hurt you the most;
9) Make more time and effort for your spouse or partner;
10) Love the kids and stop complaining about the costs and unbelievable expectations;
11) Travel to a place you never visited and learn about a different country and culture;
12) Write a note a week to someone you care about;
13) Be grateful each day for all that you have;
14) Make the effort to laugh and smile more;
15) Stop gossiping; and
16) Don’t complain.