Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Kerry Says: Let's Make A Few Resolutions

It is the first of January 2014 - I do not think that we can avoid making a few New Year's Resolutions here in the Imaginary Garden.




The practice of consciously resolving to improve one's actions and attitudes towards the way one lives one's life is grounded in ancient tradition and culture. The Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. At watchnight services, held on New Year's Eve, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions. During Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. Source


Copyright Calvin and Hobbes
(Fair Use)

According to TIME Lists, these are the ten most commonly broken New Year's Resolutions:
  • Lose Weight and Get Fit 
  • Quit Smoking 
  • Learn Something New 
  • Eat Healthier and Diet 
  • Get Out of Debt and Save Money 
  • Spend More Time with Family 
  • Travel to New Places 
  • Be Less Stressed 
  • Volunteer 
  • Drink Less
The internet has an abundance of articles about how to make and to keep resolutions. Psychcentral.com suggests we resolve to be more generous, Huffington Post has an article on common New Year's Resolution mistakes and how to fix them. However, my interest today is in the promises we will make to further our personal progress towards self-actualization, the pinnacle of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.





"What a man can be, he must be." This quotation forms the basis of the perceived need for self-actualization. This level of need refers to what a person's full potential is and the realization of that potential. Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be. (wiki)
As poets, artists, photographers and writers we are constantly pushing ourselves to express our creative thought process to the best of our ability. Before you set to work writing for this challenge, take some time to consider your goals and resolutions for your creative aspirations in 2014.

The challenge is entirely open to personal interpretation of the theme: "Resolutions" and the poem you write for this challenge may be reflective, narrative, analytical or abstract.

23 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

Dear friends, I am going to be away for the long weekend and will be back again on Sunday, so please bear with me when it comes to comments on your pieces. I shall read them all as soon as I am able.

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to all! My response to the prompt is as much to Kerry's linked poem. Making a visit to Delphi to query the (god) of poetry.

Fireblossom said...

What? No Kerry until Sunday??? Well poo.

Nevertheless, Happy New Year to everyone at the pond!

revelations said...

Happy New Year everyone ...

Grace said...

Happy New Year to everyone ~ Cheers ~

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Happy New Year, kids. I am looking forward to reading a lot of wonderful poems in 2014 from all of you!

Lolamouse said...

Happy 2014 to all the Toads out there!

Susan said...

Thank you, Kerry, for another marvelous prompt with enough words to inspire but not to overwhelm. You rock as usual. Happy New Year to all Toads and your Loves.

hedgewitch said...

ARG. I don't make resolutions any more, and have gotten past the point of even thinking about it--as always Kerry, you make me wrestle with my recalcitrant brain, hopefully not in vain. Enjoy your long weekend, and a Happy New Year to everyone who splashes here in the pond.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kerry! Hope you are having a great weekend. Happy New Year all. Mine is a bit silly. (But there are elephants.) Take care. k.

Herotomost said...

Happy New Year Toads....

Anonymous said...

A new year, a new blog look, same old grey pens :) Hope 14 kicks 13's a** for everyone.

Marian said...

happy new year, dear friends. xoxo to each and every one!

Susie Clevenger said...

Happy 2014 everyone!! Looking forward to all the wonderful poetry here from some of the best writers on the web. :)

G-Man said...

Happy New Year Kerry O'Connor..

Kay L. Davies said...

Hi Kerry
As usual, I had fun with this, perhaps made it a little more colourful than it deserved. I played around with it until 12:15 on the day after New Year's Day, so now I'm going to sleep and will be back with comments tomorrow.
K

Unknown said...

Happy New Year fellow toads! Excited to be back in the garden. Looking forward to your reading your work and receiving comments and constructive criticism.

Anonymous said...

Although Tennessee Ernie Ford and I have the same general outlook as to the whole new year thing, nothing bur the best to all of you 'n yours in 2014.

Pealogic said...

Just resolved to change my attitude this year and maybe follow my dreams. Good luck to all dreamers this year and always.
Pea

Margaret said...

Whew. This was a tough one as there are SO many resolutions I could make. I'll be back later tonight to visit and comment. Happy New Year!

Isadora Gruye said...

woot a fun prompt..mine went a little abstract, but still relevant!!!

Suzy said...

Happy New Year. Wish you all a year of creative writing.

betty-NZ said...

So many good intentions, but if the resolve to continue isn't there, it's only a great thought. Here's to resolve!