How Resolute Are Your Resolutions ?

I am actually quite proud of myself this year.

1. I managed to avoid ALL of the end of year retrospectives on who died in the last 12 months. All those little video clips of actors, waving goodbye to the camera from that great movie that they made; all of those composite shots of conductors or musicians against their embedded soundtracks, all of the tributes to those persons of influence that actually made a difference in the world. All of those things, not in my consciousness this year....except for the passing of Pavarotti. And even though I am not a huge opera fan; I know the world is quiet in a sadder way, for the loss of that unique voice.

2. I managed to avoid making ANY New Year resolutions. And this...is the focus of my rambling today....

For my YMCA of choice is filled right now, with the resolute. The smallish parking lot is clogged with the chariots of the well intentioned. The locker spaces are filled, the showers are running non stop. Everyone is on and off the scale--sighs, groans, growls and small whoops of joy sometimes can be heard. Most, I think, view the numbers in quiet desperation.

There is a relative kindness at this time of year, that all of us in the weight room seem to extend to each other. We recognize that we are all trying to make good on that midnight vow we made, after having a last treat at 11:45. We're trying to look practiced as we remember how to adjust machines...wait patiently when the one we want is in use...and we covertly scowl at those that don't look like they have a reason to be there in the first place.

We are not yet through January, and the game of Chicken has begun. Which of us will drop out of the effort to change what we think we must, first ? While it may mean one more parking space, or less time waiting for that infernal elliptical machine, I'll be a bit sad to see the faces that right now reflect our collective determination, change to frustration and finally disappear all together.

Come and hang out with me in January.... I'll bring an extra bottle of water.