Resolutions, What are they really?
I found one definition of “Resolution,” as: to terminate an abnormal conditions.
Abnormal conditions being, anything that interferes with you becoming the best person you can be.
At age 20, in 1726 Benjamin Franklin wrote out his famous 13 resolutions. He took one a week and worked on improving himself on that chosen resolution. He effectively established his “self-help” program. In 1727, he started a club to discuss and debate intellectual subjects, called the Junto Club.
Reportedly, an incident occurred after starting the Junto Club, that set Franklin at odds with himself. One of the Junto members was walking toward Franklin on the same side of the street. Suddenly, that member crossed the muddy street, overtly avoiding Franklin. He later confronted the gentleman on his actions. The offender, blatantly shared that Franklin, though brilliant, was not liked. He then listed several reasons.
To Franklin’s credit, he listened (which happened to be one of the 13 resolutions) took the man’s words and faced the harsh reality of its meaning.
To Franklin’s credit, he listened (which happened to be one of the 13 resolutions) took the man’s words and faced the harsh reality of its meaning.
Several decades later; the fledgling colonies were seeking independence from Great Britain. The colonies were without money, under supplied in clothing, weapons, and man power. Benjamin Franklin managed to get a bankrupt country to not only loan money to, but also offer military assistance for his colonies. This man that once had one of his friends cross the muddy street to avoid him, solely captured the heart of a monarch to assist in bringing independence for the United States.
It may be speculation however, the reapplication of resolutions or termination of abnormal conditions may be the element that changed the prideful Franklin into one of the most successful statesmen.
Resolution means change, and change is difficult. Most of us know that there are things in us that would be good to change. Dealing with that reality is tough.
I hear this quoted often: “You can’t take your old self into a bright new future.”
It is my belief that we all possess personal elements that are vital to the world around us. Those elements are not conspicuous, they need to be found and developed. They also need to fall on fresh fertile soil of the bright new future, to take root.
If you have listed your resolutions, ask yourself whether those resolutions need to fall on new soil for them to grow? The new you; will it make you a better friend, spouse, parent, employee, employer, partner, or an engaged member of society?
Maybe we all need to develop a freshly fortified garden to plant our resolutions into. I finish with this thought: You are important because you are unique. It is that uniqueness that your resolutions need to bring out.
Undeveloped unique talents leave the world without that musical notes needed to complete the orchestrated symphony of humanity.