By Staff
Holiday Season 2003 has almost drawn to a close.
With Christmas now behind us, only the dawn of a new year -- which we'll commemorate Wednesday evening and throughout the day Thursday -- remains on this year's schedule of celebratory moments.
For some, that's a downer -- reasons to revel as a group will be few and far between during the long stretch between January 1 and the Fourth of July.
For still others, it's a tremendous relief. Despite all the joy the holidays bring, they can also deliver their fair share of stress, exhaustion, and, for some, loneliness.
Whichever group you fall into, Thursday presents an opportunity to begin dealing with your approach to the holidays, if that's something you see as a problem.
You can simply add any necessary revisions to your seasonal attitudes to your list of New Year's resolutions.
That is, if you're in the habit of making resolutions to begin with.
Most of us are. Among the most common goals we try and work toward beginning each January 1 are getting in shape; quitting a destructive habit, such as smoking; improving our financial situation by saving money or finding a more lucrative career; and finding better ways of coping with daily stress. But those common resolutions constitute only the tip of the iceberg.
Others include resolving to smile more, be more productive in our careers, get more sleep, be more outgoing, and get more involved in our communities.
Those are just the resolutions any of us could adopt, if we felt one or more of them applied to our lifestyle.
But there are countless others we each keep to ourselves, that don't find their way onto lists or into columns. Why do we make -- and at least attempt to keep -- resolutions like these at the beginning of each new year? Maybe it's because new beginnings are exciting times, when anything, even accomplishing a difficult task, can seem possible.
Or maybe it's because new beginnings are also somewhat uncertain times, and having a few new goals, no matter how trivial, can help us stay focused, and feel more in control of our lives.
Personally, I subscribe to the "anything seems possible" theory. I'm making two resolutions for the new year, one of which many of us share, and one that's unique to me. The common one: to exercise regularly. The other? To keep striving to make The Standard the best newspaper it can possibly be.
The first resolution is up to me and me alone. The second, however, requires a bit more. Making that one happen involves myself, the staff here at the paper and the input and support of the community we serve.
I can assure our readers that the staff and I will put forth our best effort, and if the past several months are any indication, the community is more than willing to see this paper as its own. That sounds like a formula for success.
And while I have the opportunity, I'd like to suggest a resolution for our readers, even though it may seem a bit off-topic here: watch your health over the next couple of months. As we're beginning a new year, we're also plunging into the heart of what's already been a severe flu season, something we should all keep in mind. If you develop flu-like symptoms, take them seriously, and see a doctor if they persist.
Don't wait too long and let a treatable illness turn into something more serious.
Making and keeping resolutions should be fun and challenging. Keep it that way by making sure you're around to see yours through to the end.