Social Resolutions

As the calendar change from 2012 to 2013, many of us will engage in the time-honored tradition of making a New Year’s resolution! Typical resolutions center around improved health (weight loss, increased exercise, healthier eating, quitting smoking), finances (spending less, saving more, or being able to afford a long-desired big-ticket item), and goals (getting a new job, starting or improving a relationship, beginning or finishing a project, being a better parent, spouse, teacher, or employer).

As we seek to promote social understanding, I hope many of us will make a “social resolution” for the upcoming year! Here are a few ideas to get you started!

-       Smile at those we encounter at home, school, our workplace and in the community.

-       Ask at least one person, “How are you doing today?” and really mean it, taking the time to listen as they talk about their current situation.

-       Do some research on another person’s area of special interest, so that the next time the topic comes up, we can carry on a conversation rather than asking them to choose a different subject.

-       Remind ourselves on a regular basis that others have valid opinions, preferences, and perspectives, even when they differ from our own.

-       Say “thank you” to someone who least expects it—a cashier at the grocery store, a newspaper delivery person, a student, or a neighbor.

-       Commit a kind act toward another person, without being asked, and without acknowledgement.

-       Give a genuine compliment to someone else, commenting not just on outward appearance (a nice tie, haircut, or sweater), but on their achievements, character, or personality.

-       Encourage and assist someone toward reaching his or her goal or dream.

-       Ask for forgiveness from someone we’ve wronged (or who thinks we have wronged them), or grant forgiveness to another person, whether or not we believe they deserve it!

How about you? Will you make a social New Year’s resolution for the upcoming year? I hope you’ll write to me to share your resolution, or comment on our Facebook page or on this blog below!

Happy New Year!