Yesterday we saw that the history of New Year’s Resolutions over the last 6,000 years is one of increasing self-centeredness and, at the same time, decreasing perseverance.  The more my resolutions are about me, it seems, the more likely I am to quit.  That might seem odd at first blush—shouldn’t I become better the more I focus on making myself better?

But viewed in the light of true virtue it actually makes sense.  Remember the chief virtue of charity, and the instruction to love God first, and then our neighbor as ourselves?  Over the course of history, we’ve turned it all upside down, putting ourselves first, even though the one thing we’ve never needed is a resolution to love ourselves more.

Benjamin Franklin recognized that virtue should play a central role in our resolutions, saying: “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”  Pursue virtue and love your neighbor is certainly better than “lose weight, get organized, and save money.” 

But, if the greatest of all the virtues is to be our guide, let me suggest Jonathan Edwards’ approach: “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

There’s no Quitter’s Day for that one.

Have a wonderful day.