A Simple Guide for Your 2016 New Year's Resolution

“The most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or touched… they are felt with the heart.” “The Little Prince” Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944), French writer, poet, aristocrat, journalist, and pioneering aviator)

Happy New Year! Each year we make promises to ourselves – New Year’s Resolutions. I hope this article will serve as a how-to list to help you out in making your 2016 New Year’s Resolution. I based my simple guide from the Catholic or heavenly virtues – a combination of virtues from ancient Greek philosophy as identified by Aristotle and Plato and the theological virtues of St. Paul of Tarsus.

First, here are the seven deadly sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Gluttony, Envy, Wrath (rage, anger), and Sloth (laziness, idleness). To remember them, a commonly used mnemonic acronym is “SALIGIA” based on the first letters in Latin of the 7 deadly sins: superbia, avaritia, luxuria, invidia, gula, ira, acedia. These are the things you have to avoid in 2016 and hopefully onwards.

Your Simple Guide for your 2016 Promises (The 7 Heavenly virtues)

With the above-enumerated items to avoid, here are the time-tested virtues to counter them. Base your 2016 New Year’s Resolution on the following list.

1. Humility (humilitas). This counters Pride. Be brave. Face and confront fear. Give credit to where credit is due. Refrain from glorifying your self. Be faithful to your promises. Don’t get yourself intimidated with uncertainties of 2016.

2. Charity (caritas). For this year, be more generous. Be kind to others. Charity is love; and love that resides in the will rather than emotions is held to be the ultimate perfection of the human spirit. Love reflects and glorifies the nature of God.

3. Cleanliness through good health and hygiene. Chastity (castitas). Avoid intoxicants (alcohol, nicotine). Be honest to your self and to your family and friends. Aim for education and betterment. Avoid temptations, hostility, and corruption.

4. Kindness (benevolentia). Have positive outlooks and cheerful demeanor. Inspire kindness in others.

5. Temperance (temperentia). Practice self-control. Be satisfied. Be mindful of others. Temperance is justice and loyalty.

6. Patience (patientia). Learn to forgive. Resolve conflicts peacefully. Be merciful. Don’t be pushy. Don’t antagonize others.

7. Diligence (industria). Hold on to your dreams and persevere with persistence to reach them. Uphold your convictions. Be passionate but observe a careful nature or cautiousness in your line of work.