It’s that time again: we're quickly rolling up on New Year’s Eve—and I’m reflecting on the past year. I can’t believe how fast 2018 has slipped away and all the turmoil that’s permeated through this very challenging year. We’ve been bombarded with terrible news on a daily basis with politics and natural disasters at the forefront.

Are you making resolutions?!? I’m making ONE this year and that is a firm commitment NOT to make any resolutions. For every year I can remember, I’ve made resolutions to lose weight, be a better daughter, sister, friend, do more to help people, be more creative and it goes on and on….

I tend to be disciplined by nature; far from perfect but I usually follow through and do what I say I’ll do. That goes for both my work and personal life.

But this year I feel different. Is it a byproduct of just getting older and seeing more of life? I’m not really sure. Perhaps it’s the end result of making resolution after resolution and rarely accomplishing all of what I promised myself I would do. And that has led to me being disappointed in myself and has also imparted a sense of failure.

I did a little research. The history of making New Year’s resolutions has a religious foundation. According to historians, the ancient Babylonians some 4000 years ago made promises to the gods at the start of a new year to pay their debts and return borrowed items. The Romans made resolutions to their god Janus during the first month of the year, January. Both Christians and Jews have practices of making resolutions for the New Year and atoning for their sins.

We all have areas that can be improved, of course. However, for some inexplicable reason, when I make resolutions, I just don’t keep them.

I’ve come to the conclusion that promises are like empty vases. There's nothing there without follow through. I’d rather just be proactive. Yes, I want to be a better person, etc. etc., and kick off the New Year right. But I no longer will make any resolutions because I am not 100 percent sure I can keep them. I'd rather quietly commit to planting some seeds for action and forge ahead to a more promising year.