Tabula Rasa

Resolutioning is, of course, an art.

It’s like letter writing, or gift giving. Activities that can be done without thought or care, but should be done with the greatest of spirit. Anyone can text hello. Anyone can give you tube socks. But a good letter is a private message from the soul – the things that wine and fireplaces were made for. A good gift is a public symbol from the heart – the things that tears and smiles are inspired by.

How can it be any surprise, then, that a good resolution is no different? It is, perhaps, one of the hardest art forms. Simultaneously, it is a private letter written with the most pertinent of passions and a public gift given to sate the most important of wants - all addressed to the self. And, as if the creating of such a thing was not difficult enough, accepting your own offerings with humility is itself a seemingly impossible hypocrisy.

But anyone can get themselves a gym membership.

Thankfully, not all good art is serious. Good art is real. Is not a hangover a punch-line as much as it is a lesson? Is not a mis-connected kiss a splendour of entertainment? Hesitations and shocks and Freudian slips are the practical jokes of the spirit. If we cannot return the favour, giving ourselves gag gifts and meaningfully satirical missives, then we are no proper artist at all!

We must celebrate our lives with zeal, for our lives most certainly celebrate us.

So, ladies and gentlemen, join me. The task is not an impossible one. And while it is difficult, it also happens to be a most pleasurable pursuit. Grab a cigar. Have a drink. Make yourselves comfortable, because while I’ll do it for myself, I’ll not do it alone. Bring your dreams. Don’t buckle your seat-belt. Because, while it’ll be a fantastic ride, you won’t want to be tied down.

At the turn of every new year we impose upon our community a charge: to capitalize the day. To turn it into an event – a celebration. Not everyone partakes and, though it has its traditions as much as Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day, not everyone celebrates the same way. But it is a time when we call on ourselves and our peers to be creators of a most difficult kind. We call upon ourselves to be artists, and dare ourselves to use our own lives as canvas.

I am certain we are up to the task.

Etch-a-Sketch at the ready,
- Z