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Lean into new approaches, small adventures By Sharon Johnson Jan 08, 2023 12:30 AM A A Over the past few weeks, I indicated to anyone who questioned me that I was not going to make New Year’s resolutions. If pressed about it, I would say something like: “I need a palate cleanser year,” which is a phrase I lifted from an article in the New York Times. The woman to whom it was attributed just wants her life in the year ahead to be simpler — fewer complications. Me, too. That’s what I want. Or so I thought. Then I began to look at it differently. I realized I have proven I can handle complications. I like a little unexpected spice in my life. Maybe I could take a deep breath, cleanse my palate ever so briefly and be ready to embrace a new approach and a small adventure or two. Resolved: I will make it a fresh start to the year with holdover emotions tenderly tucked in their own corner of my heart. After all, at my age I do not have a lot of years left to start afresh. As my 81-year-old friend, Herb, likes to say, “I don’t buy green bananas anymore.” Resolved: I will focus on others. I am a kind person by nature, but I intend to do that better — on a more practical basis. As illustration, I will get the telephone number of the elderly dog-walker I meet occasionally who told me she lives alone. Yesterday, she offered the information that she weighs 80 pounds and she and her fluff-ball dog almost got blown into the river during recent, icy, windy days. If I have her phone number, I can call her when the weather looks perilous, offer to walk her dog or find someone who will. When I call her, I envision we will chat a little. She’s clearly lonely — “a wee depressed,” as she put it. I will listen thoughtfully and use the phrases recent research has shown work best with someone who is feeling blue. “I understand why you feel that way” and “that sounds very hard” are said to be particularly comforting. Her name is Barbara — if she is open to it, I will ease into problem-solving with her. Maybe we can strategize about her getting better-gripping shoes or finding a new walking path — farther from the river. Resolved: I will lean into small adventures. I am not a risk-taker by nature. To date, I have not seen myself on a jet ski in that aforementioned river. But right now I am thinking: Why not? If not now, when? I have a friend named Catherine with a jet ski, and she takes it out regularly in the summer and would welcome my joining her, I feel sure. First however, I will probably need to take swimming lessons. I do not swim well — it’s time. I am resolved to take lessons at the local community center. I already signed up. I am going to look for a swimsuit on Amazon as soon as I finish writing this column. Maybe that is all the resolution-making I will do for the year ahead. Yes, that’s it for now. I have a swimsuit to purchase and a dog to walk. Sharon Johnson is a retired educator. Reach her at [email protected].