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Guest Column

Resolutions help lives of self, others

By JACK LEVINE
Published January 1, 2007

As we contemplate the new year, it's timely to reflect on who we are and where we hope to go in the 12 months ahead.

For many of us, 2006 was a year of challenges, changes and awesome responsibilities. As an optimist, I believe that the year ahead will open new doors and present valuable opportunities for all of us.

New Year's resolutions are about making a commitment to do something different in our lives. Please join with me in contemplating these 15 resolutions.

I resolve:

- To appreciate my family, friends and colleagues for who they are, what they mean to me and others, and to gracefully overlook some things they do (or don't do). None of us is perfect, and accepting that reality is a good thing.

- To not ignore a wrong that needs righting, a crass statement that needs correction or an offense that demands a just response. We can set a positive example by not accepting negativity in others.

- To be a valuable teammate and to trust others to do their best. Each of us should know what team position we play best and regularly practice our skills.

- To listen to the voices of children and elders. The wisdom of innocence and experience is both free and priceless.

- To speak truth to power, but to be both polite and persistent. There's a fine line between persistence and pestilence. Resist aggressiveness, but advocate with assertion.

- To accept that I don't know everything. There are others who know more about most things, and together we can form a great brain trust if we meet and blend expertise.

- To pleasantly surprise someone every day with an unexpected kindness in word and deed. Life's subtle gifts of concern and cordiality are cherished.

- To respect the diversity of faiths, feelings and fashions. Differences are natural, and honoring each other's beliefs creates mutual admiration.

- To exercise artistic expression for its intrinsic value. The vitality of the physical, instrumental, literary, visual or vocal arts fuels the soul and expands the mind to new possibilities.

- To invest a thoughtful minute before I speak or act. Regret is often preventable. Reversing harm is one of life's most vexing challenges.

- To honor those who courageously sacrifice for us at home and abroad, care for our health, educate us, and perform all manner of healing and helping arts so that our quality of life is improved.

- To share even if I think I don't have enough. Setting an example by gifting to others in need is one of the best lessons for children to observe.

- To protect and defend people who rely on me. Give special attention to the needs of others who may not know how to find their own voice.

- To preserve natural environments for their beauty and bounty. Natural settings are home to plant life and species that are too often victims of our wants, not our needs.

- To never give up on a person or a cause, despite the challenges faced. Perseverance is an attitude that personifies leadership, attracts allies and creates meaningful change.

Jack Levine, founder of the 4Generations Institute in Tallahassee, was formerly president of Voices for Florida's Children for 25 years. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified December 31, 2006, 21:46:14]