Thomas Jefferson

Now that the frantic preparations for the holidays are finally over, we have a chance to sit back and take a look at our lives: our successes and failures, progress made toward our goals, and our hopes and dreams for the future. Many of us will look ahead to the approaching new year and make some resolutions (although many of these will likely be abandoned by the time February gets here!). Whatever our resolutions might be—whether we want to quit smoking or lose weight or take up a new hobby—the point of making these plans is to make our lives better and to make ourselves happier.

Thomas Jefferson had some advice on how to achieve happiness. He wrote:

“Be assiduous in learning, take much exercise for your health & practice much virtue. Health, learning & virtue will ensure your happiness; they will give you a quiet conscience, private esteem & public honor. Beyond these we want nothing but physical necessaries; and they are easily obtained.”

Jefferson knew, of course, that it can be difficult for people to implement major changes in their lives, but he believed it was possible. He wrote:

“We are always equal to what we undertake with resolution. . . . Industry and resolution are all that are wanting. . . . Be industrious, then. . . . Think nothing insurmountable by resolution and application. . . .”

The main thing needed to make our New Year’s resolutions stick is perseverance: being willing to keep going even when we are too tired, too busy, or just too overwhelmed. Rather than trying to create a whole new way of life each New Year, only to fail in frustration after a few months or even a few weeks, maybe we should take smaller steps, carving out more practical and achievable goals and building upon our successes over time. As Jefferson wrote:

“An indifferent measure carried through with perseverance is better than a good one taken up only at intervals.”

Good luck with your resolutions. All our best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!