The new year brings a time for resolutions

The new year brings a time for resolutions

By Derek Joy

     And. . .Presto!

    The New Year – 2013 – is upon us.  Just like that, after 366 days, 2012 is a thing of the past.

    So, what about New Year’s Resolutions? Are people still into making New Year’s Resolutions for better or worse?

    Well, let’s take a look at what some are saying.

    When asked whether or not she made any New Year’s Resolutions, Florida State Representative Sharon Pritchett b(Dem., District 102) simply said: “Not at all. I have no thoughts.”

    Maybe not there. But others have their thoughts to share.

    “I haven’t made any yet,” said Rev. Nathaniel C. Holmes, pastor of New Mt. Sinai M.B. Church in Brownsville.  “I don’t know if we should call it resolutions. But we should put together some kind of plans.

    “In the church we look at how some things didn’t work during the past year. So, we should change some things. We’re going to pay more attention to several things. We need to do a better job of feeding the homeless and hungry. Look at ways to become more financial in the community.

    “Another thing we’re going to look at is attracting more members from this community,” added Holmes. “We only have two members from this community.  Most of our members commute from as far away as Broward County, Fort Lauderdale.”

    Quite possibly, other churches may have similar thoughts and plans. Improving upon the year just past is always worth more than passing consideration.

    Obviously, in educational institutions, improving upon the past year is a goal for students seeking to advance and graduate. And so it is in sports, where individual and team goals always seem to focus on improving upon last season and winning a championship.

    “No. I haven’t made any New Year’s Resolutions yet,” said Charles Wiseman, a senior at Norland High School in Miami Gardens, and a member of the City of Miami Gardens Junior Council.

    “I think I’d like to do better overall than last year. I’m leaning more towards attending F.I.U. (Florida International University), looking more into constructing a website and reviewing technology advances and how they can be used in business.”

    There is a practical application for New Year’s Resolutions.  Much like Pastor Holmes has an invaluable approach for the church community to take for making New Year’s Resolutions, Wiseman offers an educational and professional approach to using New Year’s Resolutions for positive growth.

    Now, consider Central High School Varsity Football Coach Telly Lockette, who is in his fifth year on the job. He took his Rockets to their third consecutive State Finals and won his second Florida State Class 6A Championship in three years.

    “We’re just going to go back to the drawing board and see what we come up with,” Lockette said.  “I haven’t made any resolutions yet but I plan to. I’ll make some resolutions centered a-round the team and some other things.”

    It is a different story for Miami Dade Public Safety Dept. Sgt. Malyssia Bryant.

    “No. I don’t have any resolutions. I never make them. I’m doing what I need to do,” said Bryant. “People make resolutions because they’re procrastinating..  It’s just a poor excuse to put things off.”