2007 is basically here. Even in today's high speed internet world something as traditional as the "New Year's Resolution" seems to be a top priority, even if it's just in fun.

Case in point, go onto any e-mag site and visit the message boards. Upon entering and choosing any of the individual threads you find at least one version of the question: Have you made your New Year's Resolution(s), if so what are they?

After cruising five such areas myself I encountered at least 15 versions of this question. Most of the answers were pretty much expected, no surprises. Most people said it was their intention to lose weight, get into a regular exercise routine, find a better/more satisfying job and/or do something more positive in their personal relationships.

Quite frankly, if we all went through with any of these resolutions once, why would we have to put them back on the list of our top choices? We'd all be fit, thin, have romantic interludes every night and have the money to make our partners (as well as our own) dreams come true. If these words are nothing more than hopes and wishes, why call them resolutions? A resolution defines itself as a guarantee of permanent change for the better.

We need to find another word or presentation to use at the celebratory midnight toast. As we all hoist our glasses of our preferred bubbly into the air and sing "Auld Lang Syne" in anticipation of the coming new year, maybe we could start a new tradition. Instead of sharing what our resolutions are, maybe we could all discus what we hope to accomplish in our lives and promise to help one another remember what those goals are so we all have some level of success.

Carine Nadel
http://www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com