And a Happy New Year

The beginning of 2008. Doesn't seem possible, does it?

I remember when I was a kid, I calculated how old I'd be in that far, far away year 2000. It seemed so distant then. And 37--my age in 2000--seems so much younger on this side of it.

The Book of Ecclesiastes says that you're better off going to a funeral than a party. Why? Because at the funeral you've got a much better chance of getting dead serious about living. New Year's Day can have the same effect. A momentous, obvious milestone in time, January 1st can cause even the most callous person to really reflect, to think about what his or her life means.

So, did you make any New Year's resolutions? Are you planning to make a change in 2008?

Years ago, I gave up making a long list of resolutions. But I have decided on one thing for next year: I'm going to read many more old books than new ones in the new year. I'll tell you why sometime soon.

Until then, what is it that you plan to start, or stop, or change in 2008? I know, for some of you the resolution is too sensitive for you to say here. So I guess I should ask, What are some of your "public" resolutions for the new year?