36.1 F
Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ed’s Many Hats – How are your resolutions doin’?

-

Well, here we are about 65 or 70 days after some of you made New Year’s resolutions, or should I say ‘having wishful thoughts about unachievable goals.”

Do these sound familiar? Lose weight, cut down on bad habits, be a nicer person, etc, etc.

The last New Year’s resolution I made was the day I retired in 1995. I promised myself I would never again make a New Year’s resolution. That is the only one I’ve kept since I started making them in 1957.

Before I quit resolutions I made the same one every year: quit smoking. Up until 1966 I was a moderate smoker burning a pack a day. In June of 1966 I started Sound Incorporated and found the stress monster wrapped around my entire being. To relieve some of the tension and worry I became a real smoker; three packs every 24 hours.

Around my office and blueprint room there were three or four ash trays. There was a burning cig in every one of them all day long. At night I would wake up and have a smoke or two in bed; I even smoked in the shower: a trick I learned in boot camp; turn the hot water up so it steams the bathroom up and smoke in the corner so no one will can see you.

As I said, every New Year’s Eve I made the same resolution to quit smoking cigarettes. I even threw my pack down the commode at midnight. By noon New Year’s Day, I was digging in the ash trays for a long enough butt to light. One year I made the same resolution with a caveat: I could smoke cigars, and possibly a pipe. After my first day of smoking and inhaling cigars I was so dizzy I could hardly drive home. The next day I bought a pipe and smoked and smoked. It was always going out, so I threw it out the car window somewhere on Rt. 59… on the way to buy some Camels, Lucky Strikes and Marlboros.

My reason for telling you about my failed resolutions is to reassure you that patience pays off, so don’t worry that your resolutions went out the window like my smoke did. I finally quit smoking about 35 years ago.

So, if you’re down in the dumps about failed resolutions, just know that you aren’t the only one. Hold your head high and know that your resolutions are happy in the resolution sky with everyone else’s.

Yet, if your failed resolution is good for you, why not just make the same resolution and start over today? As the old proverb says, ‘Try, try again.'”


Editor’s Note / Once in awhile former PN columnist Ed Channell who faithfully contributed “Ed’s Many Hats” every month for 10 years sends an idea for a once-in-awhile column. And once in awhile PN publishes one. The photo (circa 2010 at Meson Sabika) above features Channell clowning around with his buddy Brand Bobosky known for wearing bow ties.

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
- Advertisement -
Ed Channell
Ed Channell
Ed Channell has served on many boards, foundations and fundraising campaigns during more than 50 years in Naperville—and he loves feedback. Give it to him at echannell1@gmail.com.

LATEST NEWS

DON’T MISS OUT!
GET THE DAILY
SQUARE-SCOOP
The latest local headlines delivered
to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
close-link

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
close-link