Well here I am again, late getting started on determining a list of resolutions for the new year. High on my list was to be prompt in all things and do away with my constant practice of procrastination. I guess it isn’t too late to amend that one if I can only truly get started some time this month.

Time is my main target for serious consideration this time around. I am fully aware of how precious time is as we nudge along day by day and minute by minute with high hopes of fully enjoying the richness of this precious gift.

A long career in the world of business and industry was spent nursing time studiously and energetically to the point of scheduling myself almost out of existence to keep pace with long-range fixed dates of meetings, conventions and exhibits. That deadly compression of dates and seasons offered its own rewards of accomplishment and even enjoyment, allowing active and profitable participation that would have been impossible without a healthy respect for planning, organizing and scheduling.

It was retirement that did me in, after 58 years of exploiting the opportunities offered by strict adherence to the demands of dates on a calendar and hours on a clock.

There are some people who have had extreme difficulty managing this shocking release from demand of time and energy, but none in my family. All of us took to it with relish and never looked back. However, we have also been bred to feel that all things should be indulged in moderation — even loafing. So that is how I have been led to drawing up a list of New Year’s resolutions.

Now to begin. A review of past efforts should have been helpful, I thought, so I tried to check my records and notes to see how I have done in past years with past resolves. Some did not take much study, such as diet control. A short step onto a scale is all that was required to understand that not too much success has been realized along those lines.

Same for general fitness efforts, only to realize that even swimming has no place on my agenda of idleness, much like the stationary bike and its stationary odometer.

Hmmmm! Tardiness with starting the list may not be my only problem. When my friend told me that she was out running every morning long before I opened my eyes, the list of resolutions vanished beneath the warm covers of my bed. In fact a new appreciation of rolling over in bed, knowing that someone was out there running many miles every morning, has allowed me to settle for only one new resolution for the New Year. I resolve to enjoy the wonders of old age.

Whenever I get around to responding to the warming Christmas greetings still waiting to be read and enjoyed, I resolve to begin the reading and enjoying. But, that’s a resolution from last year ... isn’t it?

Happy New Year.

More Tips