Resolutions

in full draw

From flowers to late-night calls, one student finds New Year’s Resolutions that hit closer to the heart.

Happy March! I bet you haven’t thought about your New Year’s resolutions in around 60 days. With resolutions involving everything from health to academic success, it’s hard to keep track of what turns out to be a scattered list of vaguely judgmental tips for self-growth. This year, I tried a new strategy to make my resolutions stick.

Inspired by the Archer, I set goals relating to the hero, visionary, lover and intellectual. One is literally related to archery; that one’s not going too well. But I’m starting to see progress in the rest.

Making the effort to find my heroes in the snow or to take a late-night call is such a simple and intentional way to foster joy. My best friend in Boston laughs maniacally every time we call. My friends here are always up for 1 a.m. guitar sessions. My heroes heal the people around them by just being. We always need the presence of our heroes, even when we don’t need anything tangible.

The Hero:

Keeping in touch with my heroes.

I want to be the kind of person who compliments strangers’ outfits. I want to be the kind of person who surprises her friends with little gifts on random Tuesdays or half-birthdays.

This New Year’s Eve, I made a list of joyful ideas aligning with who I really want to become. When I find myself at Target, I remember I want to be the kind of person who buys her friends flowers. And so I buy the flowers.

When I’m waiting for the walk signal, I remember I want to be someone who makes strangers feel special. And so I turn to the person next to me and compliment a fun scarf or hat.

The Visionary:

Becoming the person I want to be.

We don’t always have to defend care with rationality. My roommate randomly fills my water bottle. My best friends fight to hold the door open for each other. I have deep “penny for your thoughts” conversations with friends long after I should’ve gone to bed. Care, compassion and time matter, even when inconvenience might seem illogical.

The Lover:

Leading with the heart.

My cousin told me he won’t play any other game or text me until I’m skilled enough to beat him in archery.

Unfortunately, I enjoy keeping in touch with my cousin. So. It looks like I’ll spend the rest of my life playing GamePigeon archery and GamePigeon archery alone.

The Intellectual:

Mastering GamePigeon archery.