New Year’s Resolutions

Written by Wally Amos

Are you a person who makes New Year’s resolutions?  Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.  I made some serious resolutions back in 2000, when the new millennium was beginning.  I called them “affirmations” and I even used my name in each one, such as, “I, Wally Amos, will be more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others!”  I also added an exclamation point after each one, just to emphasize how determined I was about them.

I decided to be a better listener, more patient, a loving and caring husband and father, a supportive friend who was gentler with myself while eating nutritious foods and finding the fun in life.  I called them “Affirmations for a Stress-Free Century.”

I look back on that list and I feel pretty good about the job that I have done in keeping those affirmations.  I’m not perfect, of course, but I work at it every day.

So what can I resolve to do in the coming year that will make life better for both myself and for those around me?  Can I change the world?  Of course I can!  I cannot solve every problem worldwide.  But I can change my little part of the world.

I can do my part to eliminate illiteracy, by reading to children every chance I get.  I can bring joy wherever I go.  I can concentrate on converting negative habits into positive ones.  I can take personal responsibility for every decision I make in my life.  I can create love and laughter and smooches at every turn in the road.  I can stop and breathe.

Make it a Happy New Year.  The choice is up to you!

9 Comments

1. Rob   |  Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 1:57 am

   For me (NOT NECESSARILY FOR ANYONE ELSE) – I am “HAPPY” for I am breathing and without that I couldn’t have the free well to make my New Year miserable or HAPPY ) – as it has been said, “Isn’t WONDERFUL that we are ALIVE to have the “CHOICE” to be so miserable – HA! Of course if one is “awake” to that one does not have to “make” happiness – the “result” is happiness – Peace
2. Rob   |  Tuesday, 03 January 2012 at 2:00 am

   I LOVE U WALLY
3. Lynda Drake   |  Sunday, 29 January 2012 at 4:49 pm

   You always have such a great, easily accessible message. I teach a class to individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness on how to change their thinking to help them improve their situation. I have used your life lessons in the past and I plan on using more in the future. You latest column in Costco’s magazine called “Go Further” will be my next lesson. Thank so much for your wisdom!
4. the sucker of nard   |  Tuesday, 07 February 2012 at 2:46 pm

   OHHHHHH YES I WILL HAVE A VERRY GOOD YEAR BECUS OF YOU WALY OHHHHHHHH YES!!!!!!

   OHHH YA GET YOUR TAN ON! GET YOUR TAN ON! GET YOUR TAN ON! GET YOUR TAN ON!
5. Randall Jones   |  Friday, 17 February 2012 at 8:51 am

   I Stumbled across your website, Wally. Been a long time since Keaumoku St. Good to see you are still bringing good things to the world. I haven’t made a batch of cc with pecans for about 10 years, but I plan to soon. Sharon and I live in Utah and you are so right about our lives being our choices and we cannot blame anyone else. We make all the choices every day! The only thing I would add is that when we consult God on our choices, and we listen to the still small voice, the choices are always better!
   You were always an inspiration and I have a lot of good memories of the cookie stores. Aloha!
6. Jaylan Williams   |  Friday, 06 April 2012 at 6:54 pm

   Hello Mr. Amos,

   My name is Jaylan Williams. I am fourteen years old and I have a cookie business. I am the next Famous Amos. I was hoping to talk to you about how to open my own cookie store like you did. I live in Florida and have been baking and selling cookies out of my parent’s home. Please visit my website at http://www.chunkiechips.com I tried to contact you with the number on your website, but the person that answered said it was the wrong number. I hope to hear from you soon.
7. L. Lee   |  Tuesday, 29 May 2012 at 12:57 am

   Hi Uncle Wally,

   Glad to see that Chip & Cookie is back to basics, as far as the ingredients I remember under the Famous Amos brand. I can’t purchase the cookies under the new owners, there’s just too may ingredients & some unnatural ones. Here’s to Chip & Cookie!
8. Jason Ford   |  Friday, 16 November 2012 at 8:08 am

   I feel a bit sad,,,

   it seems that after many years , I cant call Famous Amos to thank him….. I was a young kid when He personally handed me a wonderful cookie,,,, back when He started out in the hut shaped building ( 7181 sunset blvd) LA,,,,,near Hollywood ……..

   I would Hug and Thank You for Your generosity even way back in the 70`s
9. di   |  Tuesday, 19 February 2013 at 2:46 pm

   Thank you for encouraging others! so many people don’t get that. Plus I wanted to say, that I always enjoyed going to your cookie store in Hollywood (yeah, we skipped some English classes to have warm cookies & milk) many happy memories with friends doing so… we didn’t do it a lot, Keep it up! one of our fans.