EDITORIAL: What are your 2003 resolutions?

Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 12, 2003

People often make New Year’s resolutions, and they’re usually directed at some sort of self-improvement – stop smoking, lose weight, start exercising, eat better.

Add one more to those resolutions this year. It’s not an easy one, but it will be more fulfilling and beneficial to many – get involved.

If you have children, one way to get involved is through their school. Stay on top of what’s going on at their schools, volunteer to assist with school-sponsored programs and make an active contribution to your children’s education.

At the same time, you’ll know more of what your children are up to, what they’re interested in and who their friends are.

Ideas include helping with school fairs, Mardi Gras pageants, athletics and academic activities.

In addition, make yourself part of your children’s education by helping with their homework and school projects. Be one of those of whom it is said that you’re everywhere.

Also, with LEAP testing coming up soon, your assistance with your children could make that valuable contribution which pays off for them in the long run.

For those without children, or empty-nesters, there’s an endless variety of ways to get involved. Be more active in your church. Join a non-profit, community assistance agency. Help someone else have a better life.

One can help raise funds for United Way campaigns, help abused children, teach literacy classes, help the elderly with their tax returns, get involved in any number of campaigns to find cures for various diseases and conditions or assist the volunteer fire department.

Gravestones give only the birth and death dates of a person, divided by a dash. It’s what you do to fill your dash which will be how you are remembered. Fill your dash, fill your days, with helping others.

People sometimes ask what the meaning of life is. We are here to help each other. No one is an island, and every loss is a loss to all. Don’t waste time. Get involved.

L’Observateur