Monday, January 1, 2018

Resolution

I’m thinking about resolution, as a frame of mind, as “determination; firmness or steadfastness of purpose; the possession of a resolute or unyielding cast of mind.”

Not “Drink more water,” though that’s probably always a good idea. Not “Binge more,” as heard on a T-Mobile commercial yesterday morning.

I’m determined to be resolute in 2018, to not yield to cultural or political despair, to maintain a sense of humor and irreverence as appropriate, to maintain a sense of reverence as appropriate, to speak up and out when the occasion calls for it, and to do what I can in my very limited sphere of influence to make a better world. How about you?

And with regard to American democracy, I’m thinking about another kind of resolution:

the subsiding or cessation of a pathological process, disease, symptom, etc.; spec . the termination of inflammation, esp. without suppuration or permanent damage to tissue.
See? Still a sense of humor and irreverence. Happy New Year.

[Definitions from the Oxford English Dictionary.]

comments: 2

Fresca said...

I was thinking something along those lines---
cultivating humor, and even hope, for the long haul––again, again, again.

The very word "suppuration" evokes a wince and a laugh.
Also, wonder: why does it have two p's?

At any rate: Happy New Year!

Michael Leddy said...

Suppuration . . . maybe so we don’t mistake it for Supuration? I meant to make a joke, but with one p it’s the name of a band.