New Year's Resolutions for Patriots and Heroes

From J.B. Shurk on American Thinker.com (Dec. 31, 2021):

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."  That's commonly attributed to Confucius, whose wisdom I'm imitating.  An awful lot of what I know has come from the harsh lash of experience, even when my own thoughts sufficiently counseled me to avoid the pitfalls lying directly ahead.  Reflection, I've found, is most gratifying, but some of us will insist on exploring the jagged roads of hostile experience, if for no other reason than to satisfy stubborn curiosity.

In the spirit of the approaching New Year, allow me to suggest some resolutions that might keep you situated toward the first two methods above for pursuing a good life and finding peace, while sparing you some of the trouble I've sometimes refused to avoid.

(1) Learn to take a joke about yourself.  No matter how clever or talented you are, there will be a moment when you do something stupid.  Have the grace and humility to laugh along with those who might laugh at you.  Learning that talent will disarm even your biggest critic.

(2) But don't be a jester.  Nobody will respect somebody who does not respect himself.

(3) Every failure really is an opportunity.  No matter how awful it first appears to be, there is no setback that does not also contain the seeds for success.  Look for those seeds, take the time to plant them, and have the patience to watch them grow.  There is a reason we instinctively enjoy the comeback story and the heroic underdog: we know what sacrifices were required to achieve eventual victory.  These are the legends we celebrate. 

(4) Always keep your word, no matter what.  If you resolve to do this one thing in life, you will set yourself apart from most people and always find that your opinion is taken seriously. 

(5) Do everything you can to avoid even the smallest lie.  Even the best intentioned falsehoods have a way of making others question our words and doubt our intentions.

(6) Get and stay fit.  Someday you may be the only person capable of saving a life, even if that life is your own.  Be ready for that moment.

(7) Learn from everyone you meet.  Every person on the planet has something to teach.  If you don't know what that could possibly be when interacting with someone you'd rather avoid, then keep thinking about it until you do.  We learn the most unexpected things from the most unexpected people. 

(8) Question everything you're told.  Conformity and obedience are for people who are willing to hand over their brains and spines to lesser men who will gladly accept them so they may rule over the brainless and spineless for personal benefit.

(9) Fight for your principles and against those who wish to box you in.  Your principles define you.  If you allow others to reshape or dissolve them on your behalf, then they aren't your principles anymore.  They've become your marching orders.

(10) Do everything you can to forgive in your heart those who wound you.  Never stop fighting for what is right, but be the first to forgive.  Finding the capacity to forgive your worst enemies is the only way to find some measure of peace in a tumultuous world. [read more]

Pretty good advice. There’s 20 resolutions in all. Too bad the Left won’t do these resolutions.