f people don’t like change, why would you make a resolution?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, (and see below for more answers about “dark” from the week before) “If people don’t like change, why would you make a resolution?,” my birthday bud Jon concluded, “Your question assumes that people intend to carry them out.  Eliminate that assumption, and the inconsistency disappears!”

My neighbor Al replied, “Your message was not just "How to start your week," it was how to start your year.  And who says a resolution is to change?  Maybe I want to keep this overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, beer drinking, overeating, couch potato lifestyle that I have spent 62 years trying to perfect!”

My PR friend Stan suggested, “Resolutions aren’t about changing ourselves; they’re about getting back to something we liked about ourselves…like being 20 pounds lighter. Can’t get back the height, hair and eyesight we lost as we try to make ourselves great again.”  My dad’s beach buddy Bob advised, “It is only to create a perception for those who may not particularly like you the way you are.  For me, take it or leave it!”

My equestrian friend Royce related his personal interest, “It's the herd instinct.”

My cycling friend Ted challenged, “Nobody says we have to like our resolutions-we just suck it up and do what the doctor/wife/boss says!”

And my temple friend Richard cautioned, “Because change doesn’t cover the cost for you to eat.  You need dollars. Lots and lots of dollars.  Even more if you want to live indoors and/or wear clothes!   And for some reason, I am reminded of the old joke about the prison warden addressing the prisoners.

Warden:  “I have good news and bad news for you.  First, the good news. You will each be given a change of clothing tomorrow.”

The prisoners cheer loudly.

Warden:  “Now the bad news. Prisoner 18392 will exchange clothing with 265491, 379226 with 482659, 276382 with ….”

ALSO:  Our editor was ‘in the dark’ last week, overlooking several worthy replies to the Dec 21 Winter Solstice question, “what is dark good for?”  So here are the additional answers:

My college roomie John called out, “dark chocolate!” while my Alabama-loving temple friend Tracey added, “Chocolate, coffee, romantic interludes, and stargazing, just to name a few things.”  

While my observant and insightful sales friend Paul wrote, “I do some of my best work in the dark,” my dad’s beach buddy Bob replied, “a good night’s sleep, and developing pictures,” to which my sailing friend Norm agreed with “Sleeping."

 My cycling friend Ted listed, “Vitamin D Deficiency, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and of course the remedy-- Nookie!” to which my social media friend Mark expounded, “Dark is good for sex depending on what or who you are doing.  I didn’t see the new Star Wars movie so will avoid any dark side puns.”

My adjunct executive friend Lindy replied, “Some would reply chocolate, although I prefer milk chocolate over dark chocolate.  Others would vote for coffee or nocturnal activities.  For me, contrast.”

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

If you give more, do you get more?  (in honor of MLK Day of Service on Jan 15)

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Happy 11^th birthday to one of the best of the breed, our dog Sarah.   And happy birthday Elvis and Ellie.

Here’s more info about MLK Day of Service

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.