New Year Resolutions

New Year Resolutions? Did you make any, even one? According to recent statistics about half of you made at least one New Year's resolution. But the statistics are not promising, nor are the ones we make to our self. So what are some of these impossible resolutions made and not kept?

I researched the internet to find out.

WOW! Too many to list and really, I think you all know what most of them are, so I won’t repeat them here. But there were two statements I did find that relate to my blogs purpose, one from an unconstructive point-of-view, the other, constructive.

The first one: “Out with the old, in with the new: may you be happy the whole year through. Happy New Year!”
You may ask, what is so off-putting?
When things get old or are not used anymore, people tend to throw them away. Don’t! Things of age do have value and that value is in its history: who owned it, how was it used, what stories about it could it tell if given a chance. If everything old is replaced with something new, it cannot replace character such as charm, oddity, originality, personality, relevance. Of course I am not talking about, say a toaster or jigsaw puzzle that is missing a piece. I am talking about heritage; legacy, tradition, custom, culture. Did you stop to think that what is in your hand heading for the dumpster may contain all this? You bet it does and it should be saved. Therefore, “Keep the old, replace only what is needed.”     

Which takes me to the second statement: “A new year is like a blank book, and the pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself. Happy New Year.”
This is a good New Year resolution!
Open that box in the attic, basement, storage unit, or where ever. Take out the thing that has been regulated to the dark and shed a new light on it. Write down the history of the item, what you can remember is a good exercise for your little grey cells. If you are at a loss, ask someone else in the family. Take a picture of it, share it with them and have some fun being a detective. And once the mystery is solved, take care of it. Clean it, restore it, and give it a new life. And then show it off. Create a special place for your special things.

Need help? My book, Create a Family Museum and Save Your History is available on the publisher’s site https://heritagebooks.com/ and on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/             
The book will show you how to create a Family Museum in your home.

So as you end this year and begin a new year, make those resolutions, if for anything, at least as a check list of what you want to change or accomplish. It is always good to make lists, to write down what is important to you and especially to your family. And get them involved, too. After all, your family’s history is and should be on displayed and appreciated.

                                                                                                          Happy New Year!