New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Editorial: Resolutions for everyone for the year 2020

By Andre Jones | January 1, 2020 11:48 pm

While there really isn’t a lot of news going on this week in our localities, I thought I’d write an editorial about resolutions. Not resolutions in general per say, but more along the lines about obligations and responsibilities we should have to each other as humans.

1. Make sure your elected officials do their respective jobs. If you voted or you have an interest in who is running your locality, make sure you take time to attend a board meeting or stop by the offices where they work at. I know I have mentioned this before, but the standard of success and progress for both counties include citizen input. Your local elected officials are in office for the next four years, so as a voter or citizen, you must do what you need to in efforts to stay informed.

2. Learn to accept who you are, flaws and all. The reality is that nobody is perfect. Even when I write articles, I tend to notice a lot of mistakes I make. Even in my personal life, I know that I have a lot of personal points that I need to work on. Nevertheless, I do not judge myself and I continue to move forward to be the best person that I can be. Unfortunately, more people are quick to pick out the negatives you have instead of the positives you may do. But if you’re understanding and receptive of your character flaws, then you can use them as a building block instead of a wrecking ball.

3. Make a positive impact in somebody else’s life. For most of us, we have all heard about “paying it forward” and hoping others benefit from it. For me, I encourage others to do something to make a person’s life better and not gloat about it. Self-glorification is vain and self-serving. You may do something for another person, and it may be witnessed, but let the true intention be because you want to do it. Don’t force yourself into a situation if you’re unable to do it, but small things from a smile to opening doors to just being a role model will make 2020 a great year.

4. Your success is dictated on hard you work at it. This one goes out to the younger generation in particular. If you want to do something in life, go after it and work at the craft. If you want to go to college, don’t just settle for good grades in school; work towards getting scholarships. If you want to go into the working world or a particular trade, don’t just harbor on learning one skill, work on multiple skills. If you want to be a collegiate athlete, don’t just work on the athletic field, practice when nobody is looking, both in and out of the classroom. If you want to go into the armed services, don’t just wait for the recruiter, prepare yourself mentally and physically as you will serve your country. Success isn’t given to those who go through the motions; it is earned through dedication, hard work, and the sacrifice.

5. Spend time with your loved ones. Finally, spend time with the ones you loved. With the speed of our world and the drive to always make that extra dollar, we have to slow down and take in the sights. We weren’t put on this earth to just be born, live, and die. We were placed here to love others, work with each other, and spend time with each other. Your family and friends are your support system. Find a way to make that happen and the time with them will be priceless.

Well, that’s it for this week’s commentary. I hope your 2020 year is off to a safe, blessed, and healthy start!