The first week in January, the beginning of a new year and the end of the old is a time when most people reflect on the past year and make some evaluation on accomplishments or failures as a gauge to achieving their goals. It is also a time when new goals, popularly called New Year's Resolutions, are set. Somehow the slate is cleaned and a new set of goals are established for the New Year.

Topping the list is the resolution to lose weight, maybe guilt from all the overeating during the period between Thanksgiving and the end of the year is the cause for this. Those that make a living from selling diets, gym membership and other weight loss paraphernalia jump on the bandwagon and seize this opportunity to promote their services or products and make a bundle. Most research reveal that very few adhere to this resolution and so by mid-February they are back to their old habits of eating poorly and not exercising, so we continue to be a nation with a very high rate of obesity and all the other diseases caused by being overweight.

Next on the New Year resolutions list is to put finances in order, after overindulging at the malls and playing an overly generous Santa, even the dogs got gifts, the reality has set in and so it is time to put the brakes on spending and begin to save. Again, research reveals that by mid-February consumers are back to their old habits of purchasing things they don't need with money they don't have, hence most people are up to their necks in debt and sinking rapidly.

Repairing relationships is another major New Year's resolution found on people's lists along with getting organized, finding a new job, kicking a bad habit like smoking or drinking, as well as reducing stress and finding more time for oneself. Unfortunately, most people never keep their resolutions and so by the end of the year are back to where they started, making the same list as they did last year.

Why is it that it is so difficult to stay on the New Year's resolution bandwagon? Are the goals we set ourselves too lofty? Most begin the year with a top ten list, which really is asking for too much. To really accomplish any change, maybe there should be a focus on only one resolution per year, then we will complete the top-ten list over a period of ten years.

To truly accomplish any resolution, one has to throw out the calendar and not wait until January to resolve to accomplish any goal. Resolutions can be set in May, July, August, September, just about anytime you find the need to evaluate where you are and need to make some adjustment in a particular area of your lifestyle. When it comes to resolutions, you can celebrate the New Year anytime.

Send comments to Eddy at eddy.edwards@yahoo.com.

Eddy Edwards is host of Caribbean Riddims aired on WKAT 1360 am every Saturday 3-6 pm. Visit his website at www.caribbeanriddims.com