Another new year is on the way to arrival; it is time to look back, reflect as well as to make new resolutions for the year and ahead. Resolutions are affirmative with a determination to do something positive either for oneself or for others. “I will stop smoking” is a positive affirmation for stopping an existing vice or bad habit. “I will keep myself in good health” is a constructive pronouncement of doing something good for oneself. “I will spend some time with poor children and try to teach them something” is another optimistic statement but keeping others in mind. These resolutions are the cornerstone of our behavior in the coming days.
One can make resolutions at any time in life; there is no need for a new year. The importance of “new year resolution” has, however, a unique dimension as if we are going to start a new chapter in life. It is something like a student going from 5th to 6th standard and taking a vow that he would do the homework in time in the current class. This is something like starting something new on a clean slate. Hence rationally resolutions like “to do something” or “not to do something” have always been associated with a religious occasion or start of the new year.
Relevance of New Year Resolutions
There is a great deal of relevance for such resolutions. First, these are statements of intent (to do or not to do certain acts) that reinforce the “positive aspects” of life. Second, they remind us of certain things that we should do, or we should not do. Third, these sometimes remind us of some unfulfilled dreams of our life of what we could not achieve, and it is time now to focus on them. Fourth, these resolutions act as red flags as when we do something contrary to these and enable us to make midway corrections in life. In nutshell, the resolutions help us to charter our life in the desired way, despite all associated problems and issues. Thus, resolutions often become the drivers of one’s actions in future times.
Relevance for Elderly
Resolutions are relevant for all ages. The nature of resolution might undergo a change. At childhood, resolutions might focus on studies whereas at youth these could be coming out of an addiction or for advancement in career or developing some good habits. There was a time when older age was linked to inactivity and passing time aimlessly without any purpose in life. However, with increasing longevity and post-retirement active life for many elders for around 15 to 20 years (that’s on a conservative basis), such resolutions have assumed importance for elders as well. These enable them to find a new purpose in life. They feel physically and mentally active & happy by taking up such resolutions. These resolutions also help them to see new light posts of activity besides directions. The concept of new year resolutions, therefore, become important for elders from 60 to 75 years of age, if not beyond that.
Some of the resolutions for the elderly could include:
I will walk a minimum of 45 minutes a day a week.
I will spend at least 30 to 60 minutes every day listening to music.
I will speak to my friends / family members at least 2 times a week.
I will get up every morning and express my gratitude to the Almighty for keeping me alive and fit.
I will try to spend some time giving back to society within my given means.
I will never get angry at any provocation by anyone.
I will learn a new skill / hobby during the year.
I will never go into the mood of depression, whatever may be the stimulus.
These are only suggestive in nature and one can make the new year resolutions depending on what one wants to achieve and the way one intends to move forward or what one thinks are his / her limitations / weaknesses that he/she should overcome. Two riders are important here: there should not be too many resolutions, and these should be practical & achievable. All of us as elders should also undertake some type of review on a periodic basis as to how far we have adhered to the new year resolutions or they would need any tweaking, depending on circumstances. Resolution statements should be as simple as possible so that these can be followed easily.
Conclusion
Life is there to experience, enjoy and live happily. There are moments of joy and sorrows. We need to experience these moments and move on. We, sometimes, also carry genetic bags like being “overweight” or “suffering high blood pressure”. As we grow older, sometimes moments of pain might overtake those of pleasure. For some, there could be financial issues as well. Physically we also grow weaker as we age. Despite all these, new year resolutions help us to be on track and guide us to move in the right direction. Such resolutions have, therefore, a great role to play in the way we take forward our life journey. In final thought to all elders: Take pause and make some new year resolutions as 2025 is arriving!!!
This article is written by Dr A K Sen Gupta, Chief Trustee, My Retired Life Foundation (MRLF).
