For instance, one particular resolution of mine is to become a better person---however, I haven't yet defined the phrase "better person" (I'm not a "bad" person....what would make me a "better" person?).  So....I'll try to define this "better person" that I want to become.

     First, my goals are to achieve some things I haven't done before---such as resuming college so that I can earn a degree in the field of my choice (the original field, business management, just doesn't appeal to me anymore; my new field is paralegal and/or criminal justice); then use this knowledge in a manner that will also better the world around me.

     Second, to be a "better person", I must become more empathetic to those who have a less fortunate life/have experienced life's little disadvantages in big ways.  The only way to feel better about those types of things aren't just throwing money into a pot and thinking I've done my "random act of kindness" for the day---I believe volunteering for a charity would probably be a very good beginning to the "become a better person" reolution.  The one situation that sticks out in my mind as having a critical need as far as volunteerism is the rebuilding of New Orleans/the gulf coast since Hurricane Katrina....however....I do not live close enough to the impact zone.  Although this may seem a little bit of an obstacle, I will be visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras---and, although I probably won't have time to volunteer due to my group's planned activities---I am planning on making donations through out 2007 to at least two organizations: the EzraOpen/Rebuilding Together charitable organization and the Red Cross.  I also believe that being a tourist in the area can only help New Orleans & the gulf coast recuperate/rebuild from that storm.

     Third, becoming a "better person" is also about doing things that are the simplest additions to the list----the losing weight, quitting cigarettes, being involved with my health thing.  These resolutions are the simple ones that everyone makes to themselves each year, but, for some reason, never quite work out the way one might plan.  However, I do believe that these kinds of resolutions (losing weight/quit smoking) will benefit me more than just the weight loss/less toxins in my body:  for years(ever since March of 2000) I have been afflicted with a chronic pain condition known as trigeminal neuralgia---and I believe, if I can get my weight down to the proper size for me and get rid of the toxins in my body from smoking---the next time I see my physician, he won't be telling me I need to lose weight, I need to quit smoking...he won't have any excuse whatsoever to disregard the chronic pain issues that I have.

     Fourth & final, I believe that "becoming a better person" also means taking care of my family, my friends & my acquaintances when they have a real need; helping others who are less fortunate in my own home town (volunteering/charitable fund raising).  Becoming a "better person" does sound and appears to be a real tough 2007 resolution---though I have faced tougher resolutions in my lifetime.  For instance, it takes a very strong person to rehabilitate themselves from an addiction to prescription painkillers such as methadone & oxycodone.  However, I accomplished this task on my own---w/o physicians, psychotherapists, etc. in the latter part of 2005/early 2006. 

     Becoming a better person is well within my reach---I will just need to keep my resolve strong by making it my best friend, that's all.