I don't normally make resolutions. Gave those up for Lent (which I don't celebrate/follow either!).

That said, there are some mantras if you will that I try to follow.

David's plea in Psalms 41 for the Lord to set a "guard over my mouth" so as to not say something stupid/regrettable on social media or in real life.

"Just because you don't like the person saying it doesn't make the truth any less truthful" or something along that line. IOW, look past preconceptions and biases to see if there is truth in the matter.

And a new one I came up with after my first failure at making beer. It's something I've been working on my whole life as I hate/fear failure.

"Failure is an opportunity to try again."

I may fail but if I never try or try again I leave "what may be" on the table, never to be discovered by me.

2017 starts with definite uncertainty for not only me but for many. My faith sustains me even in times of doubt. I'll rejoice in the good times and mourn in the sad. I'll do what I've been trying to do for the better part of my 51 years; try to love God, love others and take time to listen.

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Maybe one resolution, one wish, one note of thanks.

• I see a number of friends fighting terrible illness with grace, strength and humor, that most of us rarely exhibit during the best of times when something irks or afflicts us. Seeing that strength in someone drives me to be more resilient to life's little challenges.

• The world is hardly going to become a less contentious place in the next few years. A wish to see people really learn from opportunity to share and LISTEN is something I hope for. There is far too much polemic vented from opposing sides of any issue. Time to see groups of all stripes actually working towards solutions that benefit people rather than special interests or those with power.

• Also, and for this a thanks to the Gentlemint community, a chance to get organized. A recent Parlor comment about 'bullet journalling' had me scouring the internet and finding the resources and information I think can actually work for me. Excited to give this a real go. Happy New Year fellow Gentleminters! May 2017 bring you health, happiness and success in your endeavors.

Cheers @trigjoh

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"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years."

I will be turning 50 this month. My age has never bothered me but this particular year has given me pause to think about the future. To that end, the quote above (author unknown but most often attributed to Abraham Lincoln) rests top of mind for me. I just want to be certain I enjoy life to its fullest each and every day.

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While it's nothing as thought-provoking as the ones below, a big struggle with myself is doing the little things and consistency.

But I've noticed over (and over and over) that the people who truly get things done and truly make a difference are the people who do the little things, every day. (I realize this is obvious to many... I'm historically a slow learner.)

Anyway, my goal is to not only follow through more on the little stuff, but to also learn to enjoy it in the process.

Anyway, great topic and I've enjoyed reading the responses.

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I have never considered a mantra for the year but listening to others would be about the best thing for 2017. (Ive noticed that as trend, but it could just be because of comments on multiple threads here and a some videos I've been noticing on YouTube). I've been trying to do that for the last half of 2016; finding common ground rather than focusing on how I'm different. It's gotten a bit easier since I started.

I started with family and just tried to nod and say, non-committalal/non-confrontational type responses and let the person just have their say with really responding. I think starting with people I like and care about helped. It also helps to come here because everything is already pretty civil and hyperbole is nonexistent (sarcasm however is not, but that' never seems to be a problem). I see this a mental element for me to focus on for 2017-20??.

As for physical things to change. I am planning to take a more direct approach to small details in life by going to bed earlier. I've self analyzed enough to see that as my primary stumbling block. I started over Christmas and it has gotten better, but once stress hits I'll be truly tested.

Oh, and I also plan to:

• not run a marathon or really any distance at all.
• not learn to play guitar or violin
• keep eating food I like
• express my thoughts and opinions via comments and tacks on Gentlemint

Somehow, I feel I've got those last few covered.

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Great topic.

I don't have much to add to this discussion, but I do collect mantras to a certain extent and write down my favorites in a notebook that is nearly always at my side. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Never delegate understanding
• Every morning when you wakeup, pretend the entire universe was created today.
• Eventually everything connects
• Ignore all modern distractions and embrace all modern tools.

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I generally make a point not to have new years resolutions, as I'll almost certainly break them out of stubbornness.

Having said that, I took the new year as an excuse to do a few things, mainly stop smoking (gone a week now) and trying to draw and write more.

This year's likely to be quite stressful, I'm anticipating having to move, at least city and possibly country. So my most important mantra will be to appreciate what I have, live in the moment and try not to let the world beat me down =)

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