HAPPY NEW YEAR

Big Frank Dickinson like all of you enters the new year with the resolve to be a better person and to do his best to bring improvements to the world and his relationships within it. This is, of course, following in the traditions of the ages. Some common themes for the New Year’s Resolutions include improving vitality, fitness or appearance. Those more altruistic may resolve to give more to those less fortunate, or to become more socially conscious. We all feel the need to pick up the burden of improvement in search of progress. The accent often is on doing.

There are things that your govenment would like you to do. The United States government suggests the following for the new year:

Lose Weight
Pay Off Debt
Save Money
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Eat Right
Get a Better Education
Drink Less Alcohol
Quit Smoking
Now
Reduce Stress Overall
Reduce Stress at Work
Take a Trip
Volunteer to Help Others

Washington notwithstanding the most popular resolutions are in order of popularity:

1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape
2. Stick to a Budget.
3. Debt Reduction
4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends
5. Find My Soul Mate
6. Quit Smoking
7. Find a Better Job
8. Learn Something New
9. Volunteer and Help Others
10. Get Organized

So most of us will make some permutation of the above lists. It is an affirmation of your individuality – of our control of our own lives; belief that neither the stars, nor victimization, nor behavioral ruts, nor genetic predetermination, nor anything can trump our own free will and determination. There is joy in setting out secure in the strength and contentment of oneself. Walt Whitman is the supreme New Year’s poet. However, Walt has welcome news for all of us. Take the hand of your camerado - love each other - don't wish for the stars - no more complaints - no more needs - set out - the road is open. Let’s follow him:

Song of the Open Road
by Walt Whitman

1
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road.

The earth, that is sufficient,
I do not want the constellations any nearer,
I know they are very well where they are,
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.

(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens,
I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go,
I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them,
I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return.)


15
Allons! the road is before us!
It is safe—I have tried it—my own feet have tried it well—be not detain’d!

Let the paper remain on the desk unwritten, and the book on the shelf unopen’d!
Let the tools remain in the workshop! let the money remain unearn’d!
Let the school stand! mind not the cry of the teacher!
Let the preacher preach in his pulpit! let the lawyer plead in the court, and the judge expound the law.

Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law;
Will you give me yourself? will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?