Wednesday, December 28, 2005

New Year's Resolutions: 3

Part Three: Be a Quitter

According to the New Year's Resolution List, quitting smoking and drinking are items 4 and 6, respectively. I think it should be taken into account, however, that one person may vow to accomplish these resolutions every January first for 30-some years. I think this skews the numbers a bit.

If you were determined to learn how to fly, or run a marathon, you could do it once and cross it off your list. Quitting a bad habit or starting a good one (see yesterday's blog) can make the resolution list over and over and over again.

Personally, I don't smoke. I don't intend to quit drinking, because I actually find it to be quite enjoyable to have a glass of wine while reading, or writing, or making dinner ... the list goes on. Anyway, as a moderate drinker, the benefits of a calming beverage from time to time outweighs the negatives.

So what does this leave me to quit? I don't think you can have a New Year's resolution list without promising to quit something. Through quitting, we can make the world a cleaner place (quit polluting), a happier place (quit being snarky), and a healthier place (quit eating junk food and eat more Raisin Nut Bran, if it still exists).

The problem is: I'm not a quitter. I am a Lesser. I tell myself I need to walk sometimes so I am the cause of less pollution. I should aim to keep my snarky comments in check 60% of the time. I'll promise to limit myself to one can of Coke a day and have peanut M&Ms as an occasional (as opposed to hourly) treat.

Because I know as soon as I quit something, I'll want it bad. Worse than I've ever wanted it before. The urge will be irrestible, and I will succumb. Can I vow to quit succumbing to urges after I quit something? Or really, the more feasible solution is that I just need to quit quitting.

1 comment:

Andy G. said...

I like your blog, Jessica told me about it and I have been reading it here lately. Keep up the good work!