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Guest Column by Casey Comstock

 

Happy new year!

As the end of the old year draws to a close and the beginning of a new year dawns, I have become reflective.

I, like most people, take this time of year to examine all the tragedies and triumphs of the past year. I also like to make new year’s resolutions for the coming year.

Most folks start the new year with resolutions to lose that extra 15 pounds, stop smoking or drinking, or save more money. Talk about a miserable and restrictive way to start off the new year!

Not me! My resolutions this year are going to be fun!

First of all, I plan to find a few ways to incorporate “intentional kindness.” I think “random acts of kindness” (such as opening doors for people or letting the person with only one or two items go ahead of you in line when your cart is full) should be an integral part of our character already. Being kind and having manners should be second nature to humans in a civilized world.

Intentional kindness takes a little more effort, but is much more fun! Intentional kindness is volunteering at a soup kitchen or ringing the bell at Christmastime for the Salvation Army. This year I would like to visit shut-ins. I want to bring over a delicious dessert and a board game and spend the afternoon making a new friend.

Another resolution I have for the coming year is to read more books. I enjoy reading, but don’t take the time to do it. This year I plan to take time to curl up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. I want to continue this habit into summer, where I will trade the blanket and the hot chocolate for a hammock and lemonade.

The third resolution I have for the coming year is to cultivate an attitude of appreciation. I want to tell the folks in my life that I appreciate them more often. I want to send more thank you notes. I want to call my friends and family more often, just to let them know I love them and I am thinking of them. I want to make the special people in my life feel special.

I enjoy nature. I want to resolve to spend more time in nature this year. I want to go fishing, hiking and camping more. I also want to try my hand at gardening. I do not have a green thumb, but I want to try! Along with this resolution goes finding more ways where I can take care of the environment.

And last (but not least) I want to practice good self-care. I want to drink more water, breathe deeper and get enough sleep. I want to indulge in a bubble bath once in a while. I want to explore new and healthier ways of eating. I want to discover fun ways of being active, such as walking in the woods or cross country skiing in the snow.

Life is an adventure! Get out there and enjoy it!

Casey Comstock is a writer for the Wells Mirror, where he writes about current events.