New Year’s resolutions: Some serious, some fun

Singing “Auld Lang Syne,” watching the 1,070-pound Waterford Crystal ball drop at midnight at Times Square in New York and greeting each New Year by making resolutions are common traditions that have stood the test of time.

It’s believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions — and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since.

According to lore, the early Christians believed the first day of a new year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year.

Locally, community leaders and residents shared their serious, spontaneous and humorous resolutions for 2008 with the Green Valley News.

Executive Director of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council Joyce Finkelstein said: “I’d like to try once again to learn to play the piano and I want to really spoil my grandson.” (Finkelstein’s son and daughter-in-law adopted an infant boy, Ethan, from the Soviet Union in 2007.)

Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton said: “2008 will bring several opportunities for political debate and tough decisions on a national and state level. One of my resolutions is to stick to my ideals and principles and not become an easy target of mass media marketing of political candidates and issues of vast concern. That means more time doing research on my own, talking to others, and discovering and uncovering information and facts.”

Branch manager of the Community Food Bank Mary Jane Goodrick has these two positive resolutions: “I want to meet more of the community’s leaders and establish some sort of relationship with them, and as a certified fitness instructor I want to continue to try to make a difference by keeping people healthy.”

Continuing his current leadership role, Continental School Board president Chet Davis said: “I will resolve to continue to seek ways for the community to solve its problems and address its concerns.”

Green Valley News publisher Pam Mox greeted the New Year with this resolution: “To eat healthy, meditate daily and have fun.”

Executive Director of the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Jim DiGiacomo said: “I’d like the Chamber to continue to grow and support the community in its business efforts.”

Some sincere and serious and others light-hearted, local residents had this to say:

Green Valley resident John Fanning didn’t hold back. “My resolutions each year go something like this… to enjoy life more, learn something new, help others when I can and stay organized. This year I’m adding one more—to be kind and tolerant toward my far left friends for they know not what they are doing.”

Both serious and humorous, Trish Noel said, “I’m a professional resolution breaker, and once again I’m going to try to stick with my second year of the same resolution… I’m giving myself a six-month goal and hope I can come close to control my addiction to handbags. My latest count is 102 and I’ve got three coming by UPS next week; I’d really like to go at least six months without buying one. Last year, I lasted about a month.”

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net. Comment on online at www.gvnews.com.