Goodbye 2007

Last column of the year and my final chance to vent, ramble and roll or whatever it's called that I do.

Years ago, I gave up doing what just about everyone does this time of year: make New Year's resolutions. I said to myself, “Self, why waste your time thinking up ways to improve yourself or make an impression on people who, for the most part, don't really care, won't notice my efforts, get a good laugh when my efforts stop or result in more harm than good?”

And self replied, “Right on.”

So now I am content to just listen to other pholks brag about what they intend to do and very nicely wish them luck, pat 'em on the back and say something like “go for it, big guy” or “you go girl' or whatever is appropriate. Now I exercise self control in not making snide or disparaging comments about their wasting their precious time in making promises they obviously wouldn't keep. There have been times when I jumped at the chance to pick on someone just to satisfy my own ego or simply poke fun. I chose to grow out of that and I've done a pretty good job. I can't promise I will never do it again, leaving myself a little wiggle room. That's just in case an opportunity too good to pass up occurs.

Those who vow to drop pounds in the new year only to find out in July or September not only they didn't lose an ounce but gained three, four or a dozen pounds, far outnumber those who actually accomplish their goal.

Some smokers do manage to quit. Some drinkers stay off the sauce for good or cut way back. My hat goes off to those who do that. But it isn't very often I have to tip my hat for that reason.

For years, I have tried to cut my score in golf with the idea that if I repeat that thought enough it will happen.

I've had less opportunity to play golf this last year than I anticipated and while I had several good scoring holes in the few rounds I did play, the net result has been the same. Repeating a wish or desire just doesn't cut it. Of course, I expect 2008 to be the year things are different. But realistically, I probably should focus on paying more attention to what I'm doing than simply relying on a bolt out of the blue trimming my score by 10 or 12 strokes.

Mind you pholks, this is not a New Year's Resolution. It's simply a matter of learning from experience. As we get old, supposedly we become smarter.

So using deductive reasoning, it seems as each year arrives all of us should be smarter and not have to rely on this resolution thing.

The way I figure it, my abandonment of Year's Resolutions years ago has put me ahead of the game by eliminating the annual impact of failure. Those who like, tolerate, love or even hate me can do so based on my overall performance, not just how I performed in according to some stupid list of useless lofty and impossible goals.

So it is my wish to each of you pholks a fulfilling 2008 with the goal of becoming another year wiser.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com