HAMMERTIME
With hopes that all of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with family and friends, old and new, we will now look forward to the arrival of another year, with great anticipation of successes, health, and happiness, and challenges that we can graciously share with many others. Just like countless years gone by, as we ring in 2015, we will likely make a few resolutions and promises that we will strive to keep, but should never be too stressed or disappointed if we give it our best effort but some of our lofty plans and challenges don’t always turn out to be perfect.
I love to hear and cheer for the inspiring aspirations and goals of young and old alike as they head into the exciting future. As I always do at this time of the year I have put together a few of my wishes, resolutions, hopes and promises for the New Year, and I will look forward to hearing yours, and may even have the opportunity along the way to help others achieve their dreams.
Perennial top 10 resolutions in most households
Stop smoking and quit drinking...I tried that quite a few times, but finally succeeded eight years ago with a lot of help from others, and my aging lungs and temperamental stomach still thank me.
Battle of the bulge...We have all gone through this over the course of our lives, and probably received a great deal of advice of how to lose it quickly and be instantly fit. All sorts of fitness centres and trainers are available to keep us slim and trim, as well as professional dieticians who will strive to find a program just for us, and at our speed. On our free and easy schedule, regular exercise and fresh air is always a great medicine.
Take health seriously...No matter what our age, regular check-ups, good eating habits, enough sleep, and an exciting combination of work and play is a pretty good formula.
Enjoy life more...Success, career and wealth are important to everyone, but stress and overwork can be dangerous, which leads to other vital resolutions...Spend more time with family, friends and leisure activities, and help other people, which brings appreciation and the satisfaction and good feeling you will get from being a volunteer, a mentor, a good buddy, and a caring visitor.
Organizing ourselves...We all need to try and sit down quietly on the weekend and plan the next week and even month with the calendar, but at my age, I would never survive without ‘frig notes’ and a very patient wife.
Getting out of debt...In this day and age of credit cards and lines of credit, I wonder if that is even possible, unless we win the lottery, of which the odds are against us. There are many sharp professionals out there who will help us to live comfortably within our means and get out of the red if we only admit we might have a problem. At the age of 72, I still get an allowance.
To town and county councils...Best wishes for three more years of ‘harmony around the table’, bringing the priorities of our infrastructure in line within the budget, but also striving to encourage a steady growth of new citizens, businesses and industry, as well as promoting ongoing amenities and facilities that will serve citizens from tots to seniors long into the future.
Progressive Conservatives...No more excuses about low oil revenues, just tighten your belts like all the rest of us will have to do.
Wild Rose Party...Pick a party, any party, and then get to work and be loyal to those who elected you instead of worrying about your own political careers.
Terrorism...is rearing its ugly head around the universe. Canada made a great effort of assisting the United States to end the longstanding feud with Cuba, so why can’t all the peaceful nations around the world join together in a sustained effort to seek out and eliminate terrorist groups forever?
To Team Canada Juniors...maybe, finally another gold medal in this World Junior Hockey Championships right here on our home rinks, and hopefully without an invasion of the ‘mumps’.
Heads Up...To distracted drivers, who had better for the sake of precious citizens of all ages, keep your eyes on the road and both hands of the wheel, because in 2015 the fines for this totally preventable offense will triple with demerits added.
Hollywood...Please make us some more movies that we can still laugh at and takes our kids to, keep Lady Gaga crooning with the old guys, and we can only hope that Justin Bieber eventually grows up.
To the staff at the Ponoka News...Another great year of getting the good news out to thousands of avid readers each Wednesday, and thanks for letting this old scribe continue to be the ‘historical’ guy on your team, with lots of super help from the community.
To my family...Thanks for always being there for us, for making us feel so proud of your efforts and accomplishments, and for allowing us to pamper five great grand-children.
To all of you...Best wishes to your family from mine for a happy and prosperous New Year, always strive to make the rest of your life the best of your life, and have a great week, all of you.