Reflecting on New Year’s Resolutions

This is the time of year when people consider what they will do differently in the forthcoming year than they did in the past. When this practice began is hard to say, but what it reveals about human beings is clear. First, that it is possible for us to see our imperfections. Second, that we can understand that no matter how great those imperfections, with effort they can be overcome. In other words, we have the power to change our beliefs or habits and become wiser and better persons. These are helpful perspectives.

However, there are also some negative aspects of resolutions. One is how easy it is to forget we made them and quickly return to our imperfections. An even sadder aspect is our tendency to believe that other people, notably those we dislike, are incapable of changing themselves.

This tendency can be triggered by a single small event, such as a grade-school classmate’s teasing us; a friend’s failure to attend our birthday party; someone standing us up for a date; or a more serious matter such as a neighbor stealing from us or spreading lies about us.

Feeling that others have offended us can understandably lead to avoiding them for a time, but if that feeling is maintained, it can permanently fix our negative view of them. In such cases, despite our understanding of Christ’s commands to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, let those without sin cast the first stone, forgive others not seven times but seventy times seven, and judge not lest we be judged, we may refuse to believe those who have hurt us can ever overcome their weaknesses.

To harbor fixed judgments about others is to assume we have the power to read their souls, something which God alone can do. This assumption punishes us in many ways. It blinds us to the Holy Spirit’s ability to lead sinners to goodness and even sainthood. This blindness in turn prevents us from seeing changes in others and thus denies us the encouragement to follow their example. And without such encouragement, it is difficult for us to restrain pride and develop humility.

Furthermore, if we believe that people we dislike or disagree with are incapable of overcoming their imperfections, it is an easy step to believing they are prone to evil and unworthy of respect, let alone trust. And that belief makes us vulnerable to manipulation. All disruptors and destroyers need to do is spread rumors over and over that certain people are liars, cheaters, or haters of our country’s values, and the vulnerable are likely to hate those people. The result will then be that good people are cast aside, dishonorable ones will take their place, and the security of the country will be undermined.

In light of these dangers, the most helpful New Year’s resolutions are to understand that all humans have the ability to improve themselves, to strive to put that belief into practice in our lives, and to encourage those around us to do the same.