REMEMBERING JIMMY CARTER

America lost a giant on December 29, when our 39th president, Jimmy Carter, passed away at the age of 100. After his wife of 77 years, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, died a year ago, President Carter decided to stop his treatment for diagnosed metastatic skin cancer. He, instead, chose to enter hospice at his home in Plains, Georgia. They will be rejoined and be buried side by side at the family compound. Jimmy Carter, who has been referred to as the "humblest president in our history" was much more highly regarded for all the humanitarian work he took on after he lost his bid for reelection to Ronald Reagan in 1980 than for his record in office. Carter took office just thirty months after Richard Nixon had left the entire federal government in shambles and became president by narrowly defeating Gerald Ford. He faced multiple epic challenges during his four years in office: the energy crisis, Soviet aggression, Iran, and a deep, post Watergate, mistrust of leadership by his citizens. Critical observers described him as hard working and conscientious, but sometimes out of place. His stubborn independence, a great asset while running for office, became his downfall while climbing to the presidency. Carter's idealism came through in his inaugural address. Some of its salient points are worth repeating. They are still appropriate in the current political climate: - "For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." - "Let us create together a new national spirit of unity and trust." - "We reject the prospect of failure or mediocrity or an inferior quality of life for any person. Our government must at the same time be both competent and compassionate." - "We know that the best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation." - "We will be vigilant and never vulnerable, and we will fight our wars against poverty, ignorance, and injustice - for those are the enemies against which our forces can be honorably marshalled." While most ex-presidents pursued financially rewarding activities after leaving office, President Carter pointedly rejected that path, intimating his disinterest in getting rich. Shortly after his presidency, in 1982, the president established the Carter Center, designed to promote and expand human rights, and which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. The former president traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, monitor elections, and to further the eradication of infectious diseases. Many of us admired him for personally and physically participating in the works of Habitat for Humanity until he was well into his nineties. Few, if any, former presidents have earned the gratitude and admiration President Carter has after leaving the presidency. He really was a giant among many who provided us with a model for what it takes to be a decent human being. He deserves a prominent place in our history. Thank you Mr. President! You set an example to be emulated. Theo Wierdsma

REVIEWING NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Many of us, be it overtly, surreptitiously, or perhaps even unwittingly, partake in the annual tradition of developing at least some resolutions for the new year. Some are already struggling to follow through on the promise they made to themselves to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year. Others have begun the process of adjusting their stated objectives to align results with the promise of success. The tradition of setting new goals at the beginning of the year is believed to have originated with the ancient Babylonians some four thousand years ago. Members of this prominent, historically important civilization made promises to their gods during new year's celebrations, which involved a massive, twelve day, religious festival, known as Akitu. They vowed to change their behavior in order to earn favor of the gods and start the new year on the right foot. Pledges reportedly included paying off debts and returning borrowed farm equipment. A similar practice developed in ancient Rome after Julius Caesar established January 1 as the beginning of the new year. January was named after Janus, the god of beginnings, endings and transitions. He was also known as a two-faced god, who was believed to symbolically look backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future. Over the centuries multiple superstitions developed indicating which activities promised good luck or Divine favors in the new year. In Spain people eat a dozen grapes, one for each strike of the clock at midnight. In Denmark revelers smash plates on their neighbors' doorsteps on New Year's Day - the more pieces that break apart, the better the fortune. Citizens of Greece smash a pomegranate on New Year's Day to bring life and luck. Others feature fireworks. We drop a ball in New York's Times Square. And according to Chinese lore - you should not clean your house or wash your hair on New Year's Day, so as not to wash away any good luck. Most of us who subscribe to some of the traditions that have been passed along over time still surrender to the tradition of setting resolutions in one form or another when ringing in the new year. Entire books have been written to help shape our efforts to do just that. Publications like "A Year To Live," by Stephen Levine, or "The Pivot Year," from Brianna Wiest, can help formulating these endeavors. Other works like "It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done," by Kathryn and Ross Petras, might actually help stimulate our attempts at following through. Their book lists inspirational messages uttered by well-known orators. Random samples include: "Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses." - George Washington Carver; "You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky; "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." -Amelia Earhart; "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." - Muhammad Ali; "To avoid criticism, do nothing, be nothing." - Elbert Hubbard. The sad thing is that an estimated 88% will fail. Many of us already have. However, the calendar provides a silver lining, or a chance to reset. January 29 begins the Lunar New Year, often confused with Chinese New Year, which is celebrated by numerous cultures. The Lunar New Year occurs on the new moon of the first lunar month - a month measured between successive new moons. It features 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs. Each sign is named after an animal and each animal has its own unique characteristics. This upcoming year features the "wood snake," a rare and meaningful combination which only appears once every 60 years. According to legend, this coming year promises to bring wisdom, adaptability and a sense of transformation. We can only hope. Be it as it may, those of us who are in danger of losing the battle to fulfill our New Year's resolutions might grasp this opportunity and accept a life line. You can still fulfill the promises you made to yourself. As Babe Ruth told us years ago: "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." Theo Wierdsma