To do or not to do..

I have seen my friends making New Year resolutions every year. They give up their favourite chocolates and desserts. I have seen others forsaking meat and alcohol. But frankly, I haven’t contemplated on giving up on those as I like my desserts and tipple too much. I have never stopped myself from indulging whenever I want. New Year resolutions are made to be broken, but they must be at least made. After all these resolutions are not the first step to sainthood. It’s not a self inflicted and short lived tribulation. As Oscar Wide has said, “the best way of overcoming temptation is to give into it.”
I remember the times when I made pious commitments, stuck to them for a week, weakly follow the next week and happily forget about it the week later. I remember the number of times I had turned my eyes from the sinful desserts or picking up a packet of gum instead of reaching out for my packet of Esses. The first week I was happy and jubiliant- I have really done it! I have the grit and determination, I was proud of myself. The next week left me feeling guilty. But I felt the best when I cast off the resolutions and returned to my old rogue ways.
I think it is more convenient that way, and makes me feel less guilty. Giving up your temptations make you feel good. Giving in to them even feels better. Infact, i believe that a spot of denial whets the appetite and gives a sharp edge to temptation. The lapse, when it happens, makes everything more tempting and all the more sweeter.
So if you are struggling of giving up something for good this New Year, let me offer a little advice. It has to be something which isn’t easy. But it should be something that you really can’t do without. Otherwise you won’t feel like a martyred saint for the first good week. But it also has to be something that you really wish to do. Otherwise you can’t reproach yourself when you finally give in to your temptations. But most importantly , it has to be something so insipid, that it really doesn’t matter. Otherwise, when you finally give in, you won’t feel relieved as you bid adieu to your resolution.
If you still haven’t made your New Year resolutions, start making them now.And if you are still contemplatring on what to give up, you have 360 days to chose for the next year.Till then, have a very Happy New year.