New Year’s Resolutions With A Twist

It’s that time a year again, when people all around the world make a resolution, set a goal, stick with a program or find a way to improve their lives. When we make positive changes in our lives, there are positive effects that spread out into the world. So, let’s look at how a few of the more popular resolutions go far beyond ourselves and help the world around us. We will also look at ways to twist that resolution and make a difference in the community. Maybe it will help give you that extra kick to stick with your resolution all year long!

I think we all knew this one was going to be on the list. It was on the top of almost every resolution website I looked up. Getting in shape and losing weight are great; It helps us feel more confident about our image, gives us more energy, and many health problems can be eliminated or reduced.

• Eating less processed food saves energy and resources. A lot goes into the manufacturing, packaging and transporting of these items.

• Cutting back on meat also cuts back on the amount of pesticides, fertilizer, fuel, feed and water needed to raise livestock.

• The physical stress of being overweight not only taxes the body leading to diabetes, heart disease and a number of other physical ailments, but it also burdens our healthcare system.

Smoking is the number one killer associated with preventable disease. When you stop smoking your health improves dramatically and your wallet is a lot more full. Not to mention you and your possessions will stop reeking of smoke. (I used to smoke.)

• The 14,826,322 acres of farmland used to grow tobacco could feed about 20 million people.

• Cigarette butts filter/absorb many of the toxins burnt while smoking, which are then released into the environment when they “biodegrade”. (Smoke Free Oregon linked tumors in turtles, to cigarette butt pollution in Hawaii.)

• Smoking in the United States alone cost the healthcare industry $96,000,000,0000.00 dollars.

To quote the Lion King song, Circle of Life

“There’s more to see than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

There’s far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found”

• Traveling to new places can be a fun and exciting journey, filled with the discovery of new experiences and knowledge. However, traveling to new places does not have to only entail traveling to distant lands on a whirlwind vacation. How about checking out some of your local community? Keep 43% to 68% of that money you spend in your neighborhood. Maybe you can help support nearby museums, parks, or restaurants.

• Why not mix travel and service? Volunteer to help the needy in impoverished areas around the globe. This will allow you to experience new cultures and share the the community that comes with helping others.

In our society, it is very easy to get sucked into work and miss out on family time. There is a mentality of I will work hard and provide for my family, but at what point are you working so hard that you are not enjoying your family. Perhaps you could use some of this family time to help your community. Working at a soup kitchen, cleaning up a park, or participating in a charity walk can be a wonderful way to spend times with your family and friends.

A lot of people want to find ways to help those less fortunate in the new year. Perhaps more than working at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving or donating presents to needy children for Christmas. The following links can help in your search for charities to help in the new year.

• http://www.charitynavigator.org: Seach thousands of charities and also how effecticve they are in utilizing thier donation money.

• http://www.foodpantries.org: Find a soup kitchen in your area to volunteer at.