Resolutions can make our communities even better

Here we are a few days into the new year and let’s be honest about how many of our new year’s resolutions we have already broken. After all, one in four resolutions has gone by the wayside in the first week. Two-thirds of resolutions are over by the end of the month. And only nine percent of resolutions make it to the end of the year.

In fact, there is even a day that exists for these failures. Next week is “Quitting Friday,” dubbed by Strava, a bike and running app which tracks people’s workouts.

Every year, people make resolutions, usually to improve themselves. The top new year resolutions involve exercising more and eating healthier, both admirable goals.

But also topping the list is to do more charity work and raise money for charities.

So what if we made the focus of our new year’s resolutions on helping others, getting involved in the community, or making the space around us a little bit better for everyone?

These don’t have to be grandiose ideas either. It can be as simple as volunteering with a local organization once a month or being willing to serve on their board of directors. It can be offering to scoop the sidewalk when it snows or rake the lawn of your elderly neighbor. It can be willing to say “yes” when asked to make a donation of your time at your church or your child’s school.

Maybe your new year’s resolution is to stop by the assisted living center at least once a month to visit your neighbor who moved in last year and misses your company. Maybe it is writing an actual letter - with pen and paper - on a regular basis to renew lost connections. Maybe it is calling up the organizer of an event you read about in the paper, offering to help.

And what is great about these community-based resolutions is that they do not have everyday requirements. Instead, it is making the decision to do something for others to make their day a little bit better. Because ultimately, we know that by helping others, we make ourselves feel better and we usually benefit more than those on the receiving end.

So maybe you have already tossed your resolution to the side or maybe you haven’t had time to decide on one for this year. Consider what resolution you could implement to make your community a better place to call home.

Finally, a friend of mine reminded me that just because I slipped up on my resolution, it doesn’t have to be over. I simply need to restart the next day. This applies whether you are trying to do a dry January, you have started a new diet or exercise regime, or implemented a nighttime bed routine to get more sleep. Just because you missed one day doesn’t mean it is over. The clock just resets back to zero and you begin again.

And for motivation, consider what happens if you don’t start over. You’ll be in the same place as today. Whereas if you resume the resolution, you will be further down the road. The same applies to resolutions done on behalf of your community. If you make changes to your community, it too will be better.

Consider the often-used quote, “Plant a tree, knowing you’ll never sit under it.” It’s not the end of the world if you don’t plant a tree. But think how much better off your community will be if you do it now. Plant the seed now - by making a difference in your community, by getting involved, by getting engaged - to make our communities better for generations to come.

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On behalf of the entire McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee, we hope everyone has a wonderful 2023, full of joy and happiness, full of helping others and full of helping McCook and Southwest Nebraska become an even better place to call home.