![](http://www.freevisuals4u.com/photos/2012/01/Kimberly-Rowe.jpg)
By Kimberly Rowe, Mumbai Reporter : New Year’s Resolution is a commitment that you make toward a goal, project or the reforming of a habit. What makes this resolution different from other resolutions is that you make it in anticipation of the New Year – A new beginning. We commit ourselves to this New Year’s Resolution for the whole year ahead of us and mostly, this is what makes our lifestyle advantageous and transforms us into better human beings.
Recently while I was waiting for a friend of mine outside the mall, a lady came to me with a notebook and pen in hand and questioned “What is your New Year’s Resolution?” I wondered, I thought, and then answered “To become more environmentally responsible, to donate to the poor more often and to put in my best efforts and work hard at everything I do.” She looked shocked. She looked surprised. She asked me to repeat all I said, as she jotted it down in her notebook. “Is that all?” she asked me as I nodded my head wondering why her eyes were suddenly lit. She sighed and said “It’s not often you find teenagers who think other-oriented. Most teenagers I questioned had resolutions such as losing weight, buying a new phone or I-pod or laptop, finding a partner, getting a makeover, asking for an increase in pocket money, etc. But you my girl, what you said changed my mind about this generation’s youngsters. I now believe that there are still a FEW of you who can make a BIG difference!”
Yes folks, we can truly make a big difference when we make other-oriented resolutions. Our resolutions need to be valuable, thoughtful and idealistic, not materialistic. Resolutions that we can stick to and at the end of the journey be proud about. They should be resolutions that encourage youngsters to follow in our footsteps. We, dear teenagers, can inspire!
*Some common ‘valuable’ New Year’s Resolutions –
Eat well, quit alcohol, quit smoking.
Improve education, improve grades, learn something new.
Improve self, be more organized, less grumpy, obey elders, manage time, be more independent, watch less television.
Volunteer to help others, give to charity, protect the environment.