Dear Ms. Mabel,

Please help us settle a dispute in our family. How do you feel about New Year's resolutions? Are they a good way to start the year off right or a pointless tradition?

Decide this disagreement,

Goodlettsville, TN

Truth be told, the answer is … both.

I know some of y’all read that and thought, “Here goes that crazy old woman talking in circles again,” but it’s the truth. Furthermore, dancing around a direct answer is the closest thing to exercise I’ve done in two years. And I’m not crazy.

Well…

Maybe a little. Just enough to be fun, anyways.

Moving on. Just like anything else, New Year’s resolutions are what you make of it. If you want it to be serious and focused, then do that. I think folks fall short when they make too broad of a statement or bite off more than they can chew at once. That’s a terrible idea ‘cause you’ll choke for sure. My Daddy always said that the only way to eat an elephant was one bite at a time.

So instead of saying, “I’m going to get in shape in 2025,” break it down into little promises like “I’m going to go to the gym 15 times in the month of January,” or “I will only drink one Dr. Pepper a week for the next six weeks.”

I don’t know a lot, but I do know it’s human nature to get the job done when there’s little milestones along the way.

While we’re on the subject. I have a few challenges for all of my readers in 2025. Each month, I’ll present you with new ones and we’ll keep it going all year long. Who’s with me?

January’s challenges

1. Four random acts of kindness. Can be big or small, just go out of your way to make someone’s day.

2. Smile at yourself in the mirror at least once a day. You’ll look like a weirdo, but just trust ol’ Mabel. I’ve been doing this longer than you.

Please let me know about all the things you do this month. I can’t wait to hear about it!

Share your progress on Ms. Mabel's Challenges via our Facebook page. Doing this together may just give each of us more courage to continue--eating that elephant one bite at a time.