Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Now these are real goals
If it’s possible, 2018 was a year in which it felt like everything was changing, and also like nothing was. While we set our global expectations for 2019, teeming with significant political, social and economic volatility, we’re also considering more local possibilities—changes within our own communities, homes and bodies.
Some call them resolutions, others goals, and others still simply cosmic wishes for whomever may be listening. I reached out to some newsmakers, colleagues and friends to see what they hoped for this year:
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.): Life in 2019 is going to look a little different than the past 20 years spent in Congress. I plan to spend time with family skiing, climbing, hunting, fishing and coaching basketball and track. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), author of Them: Why We Hate Each Other—and How
to Heal: Less multi-tasking. At work and at home, with family and with co-workers, on my most important projects and on smaller but urgent ones, I increasingly think we allow ourselves to be so distracted that multi-tasking causes us to accomplish less, not more. I am still grateful for many of our digital tools, but I think I need to correct the balance back toward more focus. Ultimately, being more effective is more important than being marginally more efficient, and I hope to get better at saying “no” to constant frenzy.
Rep. James Himes (D-Conn.): Oppose less, persuade more.
Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.): Try more earnestly to live Micah 6:8. Its words are simple: That we are to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. These ideals are in short supply in Washington today, which makes it that much more important that none of us wait on Washington for their application . . . particularly in the admonition to walk humbly.
Retired Rear Adm. John Kirby, U.S. Navy: I am resolved next year to renew my optimism about my country and my fellow citizens, to remember that—while much of what we are seeing and hearing and feeling is unprecedented—what is certainly not unprecedented is the capacity of Americans to compromise, to solve problems, to show compassion and to summon moral courage. I will not surrender to shrill entreaties or to fear.
David Axelrod, The Axe Files, CNN: My resolution is to break my addiction to the infernal, insidious device in my hand right now. It claims far too much of my time that would be better spent thinking, writing and communing with actual human beings.
Meghan McCain, The View: To live in the moment and try to sweat the small stuff less.
Van Jones, The Van Jones Show, CNN: Increase my gratitude and shrink my waistline. Glenn Beck, BlazeTV: To listen more to those who feel unheard, those who have something to say with nothing to gain and to listen less to those who are the loudest. It is a goal almost better stated as a mission—do not add to the chaos and to speak firmly but with kindness.
Ron Klain, Democratic strategist: My resolution for 2019 is to do three things less often—eat, tweet, and be downbeat— and three things more often—see friends, make amends, enjoy weekends.
Jesse Kelly, The Jesse Kelly Show: If possible, I intend to get even more handsome this year.
Gloria Borger, CNN chief political analyst: Keep reporting the facts, keep a sense of humor, eat fewer Twizzlers on election nights.
Ashleigh Banfield, TV host: I will say three “oms” before turning on cable news.
Jimmy Kimmel: My New Year’s resolution for 2019 is to toss a meatball off the Empire State Building, race down the stairs and catch it in my mouth.
Bill Maher: To do the ones I made in ‘85. Thomas Roberts, CBS Atlanta: I will be focusing on forgiveness. I am always in awe of people who can focus on the now instead of being hung up in the past. My resolution is to focus on the now/future and forgive the past. Oh, and eat better!