MANILA, December 27, 2011—Instead of having a list of New Year resolutions that is all about a bunch of “don’ts,” why not fill it with more “dos” to start 2012 positively?
This is what Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon urged Filipinos days before 2011 marks its last calendar day.
Baylon, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth, said focusing on the “don’ts” on one’s New Year’s resolution is a reflection of pessimism for the coming year.
“The problem with New Year’s resolutions is our tendency to look at it negatively: don’t smoke, don’t cheat, etc. If we start something negatively, we will also finish and end up with something negative,” he explained.
“Sooner or later, we will be defeated by our human weakness and we will resume smoking or cheating. Making our New Year’s resolution will only be a futile exercise,” the prelate added.
Although Baylon said the “don’ts” for New Year’s resolution is not entirely wrong, but focusing on it is neither healthier.
“When we talk of New Year’s resolution, it doesn’t have to be always correcting our mistakes but also improving whatever good things we have done in the past or develop what healthy habit that we have started,” he said.
The prelate urged Filipinos, especially the youth, to challenge themselves to improve on the coming year and to make the writing of their New Year’s resolution an avenue to promise that they will be more concerned with their fellowmen and the environment.
“I think the core of the New Year’s resolution is to be positive about the good things that we have done. I am sure during the past years we have done good things, like experiencing how it is like to participate in a relief drive that helped the needy. Why don’t we make it a point to multiply the occasion to help this year?” the prelate added. (YouthPinoy)
