Dear New Year’s Resolution,

Are you surprised to hear from me? I know, I know, it’s been a while since I’ve written you. Several years, in fact. Our story is not a new one, I suppose. We’ve just…grown apart. I remember the old days, fondly, though. *sigh* I was so young and naive. I truly believed we could change our world together (and by “world” I mean me).

My promises to you were not unique. I promised you I would eat better, exercise more, cuss less (wtf was I thinking on this last one?). But I could never see it through. No, no. It wasn’t you. *open palms pushing away* It was me. *clutching chest* I was just a statistic, one of the many who couldn’t remain true to the sacred relationship between resolution and resolutee (resolutor? resoluted? resolutated). Damn my overachieving dopamine receptors!

But alas, as wisdom slowly trickles my way, I have come to understand that resolution is no substitute for constitution (see definition 2a). Instead of making promises to change my behaviors, I think long and hard about how (and why) I need to change me. And then I do it. I make the change. This is a long and sometimes belabored process — an internal revolution, if you will (get it? constitution…revolution. oh NYR, you never did understand my sense of humor).

Anyway, I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I’m okay. It hasn’t been easy, but I am making change without you. I hope you’re okay, too.

Fondly,

GG