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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Three Ashland parks to have fun in ... Ring in the New Year early with ScienceWorks ... Stan Smith, 'Mr. Raider,' remembered ... Three Ashland parks to have fun in ... Ring in the New Year early with ScienceWorks ... Stan Smith, 'Mr. Raider,' remembered ... LOCAL TAKE Are you making New Year's resolutions? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 29, 2015 at 7:58 PM Updated Dec 29, 2015 at 7:59 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 29, 2015 at 7:58 PM Updated Dec 29, 2015 at 7:59 PM » Social News Besides drinking champagne, dancing and kissing for luck, New Year’s Eve has become a great moment for making resolutions for the coming year, many centered around fitness, losing weight, getting out of debt, reading books, drinking less and other things that may not be as fun as champagne and kissing. Studies show Americans have become more self-improvement minded, with about 40 percent of Americans now making resolutions, compared to 25 percent in the mid-20th century. Do they work? Surveys note 25 percent of resolutions are out the window within a week. Over the long term, 88 percent of resolutions were no longer honored. As one wag said, resolutions are like babies: easy to make and a lot of work to maintain over the years. Other studies note the most popular resolutions are to pray more, spend more time with family, start a business, travel, volunteer, make new friends and get rid of stress, grumpiness and bad attitudes. Ashlanders quizzed about this had a different take, being less specific and focusing more on the big picture by shaping their mental habits, spiritual energies and raising their consciousness: Grail Douglas — I don’t bother with resolutions because then you have to follow them. I take care of myself physically and with diet and work I like to do through the year. I keep my wife happy by doing everything she wants me to do. That’s the big plan for every year and keeps everything under control, so I don’t need resolutions. Taylor Kohn — I do them whenever I feel like it, not on New Year's. If I feel I want to change something, I let it emerge. I’m not saying I manifest everything, but sometimes it’s in synch with what’s happening. Like I don’t usually do Christmas decorations, but this year I wanted pretty lights outside. I got a 2-foot high tree and hauled it in and put lights on it. Resolutions are really deciding to do something and sometimes it doesn’t work out. I resolve for 2016 to let Bernie Sanders get nominated and elected president and turn this country back over to the people. Sylvia Taylor — I don’t do New Year's resolutions. I do them all year long. I am always creating new challenges for myself. They are spiritual and mental, not always physical things. They are about being at peace with my surroundings. It’s a constant practice. One of mine is to let go of the need to be right — and to just be accepted as I am. Elaine Mellon — Sometimes I do resolutions, not necessarily on New Year's. Like now, when I get in a bad mood or am resisting something, I may try to use my conscious mind to override my subconscious. I did it today. It’s a certain mood set. I wake up and if I’m not feeling so great, I realize it’s always about my attitude. I fake it till I make it. If I try to analyze it, that doesn’t work. For example, one thing is I decided I want to take a trip in winter and lay on a warm, sunny beach for a few weeks. So I’m going to Costa Rica. I will spend less there than I would here. We’re not driving around and we’re making our own food and having fish delivered. The trip is a health elixir. Robyn Reitz — I make resolutions often. This year it’s to heal my daughter, starting with prayer. I’ve done resolutions many times. It’s very close to my heart, so I want to be very articulate here. I do it by acknowledging my higher self and identifying what’s not in alignment, then I surrender and miracles happen. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 29, 2015 at 7:58 PM Updated Dec 29, 2015 at 7:59 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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