Good (re)Solutions for 2010 from the Tonic Staff
It's that time of year again, the time of year when we assess how this rotation around the sun went and think about what we want to do differently.
Resolutions is an interesting word for this practice; the "re" implies that we are making solutions again. Many of us do attempt the exact same solutions each January. We resolve to lose weight, we resolve to make more, spend less, not eat tuna, and so on and so forth. Maybe if we called them solutions instead of resolutions, we'd be more inclined to keep them.
A solution implies an existing problem, which is what nobody likes to talk about. Next time someone tells you they don't make resolutions, remind them of everything that's wrong with them. That should go fine. Seriously, though, it's okay to have problems, but it's also okay to encourage the parts of ourselves which don't really like smoking, for example, and the inkling in the back of our minds that an automatic savings deposit might help out down the line. Encourage your inner angel, the one who is sick of being addicted to sugar, and you're likely to end up forgetting about that inner devil who keeps buying you bags of Twizzlers.
Last year, when Tonic.com was just a wee whippersnapper, my New Year's article focused on Bad Things You Haven't Done in 2009 (such as litter or kill any snow leopards (they're endangered (are you enjoying this flagrant abuse of parentheticals? (it's practically algebra)))). This is an internationally recognized time for declaring your slate clean, which means forgiving yourself for all the bad stuff you've been up to with an earnest foot forward. The clean slate makes being good so much easier.
Here's some good news: There are (re)solutions you can make which help other people and our planet almost as much as they help you. This world has no shortage of problems, and switching from the part-of-the-problem team to the part-of-the-solution team is an excellent way to begin a new year, or in this case, a whole new decade.
I asked the Tonic team to weigh in with resolutions for some of our usual categories and found killer ways to begin 2010 with better tech practices, lifestyle choices, and ways to make better news. We've got the solutions all picked out for you. Please volunteer.
US News
"Perhaps this sounds a bit too Zen-y, but I personally plan to resolve to be more present in 2010, and think that could be a good goal for, well, most folks in the US. The idea is for people to not wallow in past mistakes or failures (losing a job, getting foreclosed on, etc.), not stressing out too much about the future and enjoying the small, little things we have to be grateful for today: a hot cup of coffee, a nuzzle from our dog, a smile from a stranger. In my idealistic mind, I think it would be amazing if people would resolve to list five small things each day for which they are grateful. Gratitude goes a long way toward positivity, which is what Tonic is all about, right?"
World News
"A lot of people I know seem to be doing this automatically these days, but it's a very worthwhile resolution as well: To spend less time reading (and talking about) gossip websites and magazines, and more time reading news that actually matters to both me and the world."
— Mark Dagostino, Tonic Profiles Editor
"I'm not one for resolutions really, but this year I'm going to make a concerted effort to not run the water while I brush my teeth (I know, can you imagine anyone still does that?!), use less plastic (I'm still a pretty big offender), and to know where my meat is coming from — preferably cage-free, free-range only."
Social Responsibility
"For social responsibility, I think the obvious resolution is to volunteer more. Obama has been making a big push to increase volunteering." [Click here for some more ideas to make volunteering sensible for you.]
Technology
"Focus on helping those in need and bringing people together with the newest technologies instead of focusing on how to make exorbitant profits."
Science
"My resolution for the science news section is to strive for illumination and fun. Science and technical studies can be tough to approach, but in addition to explaining any aspect of the world out there, science often offers fascinating insights into ourselves and the human condition. And because I get to read far too much good stuff to possibly write about, 2010 will see me supplementing my written coverage of science news with a podcast dedicated to world of science happenings of note."
Life & Style
"Let's make no bones about it. 2009 was a difficult year. Jobs lost, homes foreclosed, banks shuttered. But it was also a year in which we saw the resiliency of the human spirit. It wasn't easy, but people came together to make it work. Maybe you couldn't take that vacation to Aruba this summer, but maybe you had a great time snuggling at home with your wife. Maybe you don't get to eat out every night anymore, but maybe that actually improved your health. Maybe you didn't get a flat screen TV or an iPod for Christmas this year, but your entire family was gathered around you. Coming out of an era where spending money was a patriotic duty, the recession, though difficult, made people see that there were many things more important than money. My resolution for 2010 is to not forget these lessons that 2009 taught us."
Travel
"Vacation closer. The environmental repercussions of all the flying and boating around we do are no small matter. While the desire to see the world is a healthy and wonderful thing, consider seeing your own hemisphere a little more and the opposite side of the globe a little less. It makes a difference."
Now get to solving! And Happy New Year from all of us!
Photos courtesy of helgasms!, chantrybee and shioshvili via Flickr.
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