Many of us will attempt on some level to make resolutions for the New Year. Will any of them have references to ethical resolutions?
Ethics and ethical conduct is not something to occasionally ponder and reflect on. It is one of the most important propositions we face each day as human beings in our personal and business lives.
While tempting to make hollow resolutions for 2014, I have learned from previous years what a waste of time it is declaring my wishes for certain aspects of my life to improve.
How many of you know friends or family members who on December 31 start declaring what they resolve to do when the clock strikes midnight and a new year commences?
These rusted out resolutions sound like the same grooves on classic vinyl records.
Are any of them truly substantive that would reflect who we are and what we are all about?
The answer generally is none of them, and I would submit they don’t address morals, principles, and values that drive our ethical conduct.
In the spirit of David Letterman’s top ten list and in no particular order, the following is what I am thinking about moving into a new year:
1) I resolve to pray and reflect each day. Prayer with God is pure, soothing, and cleanses my soul and mind.
2) I resolve to consult my moral compass each day and determine whether I am on or off track.
3) I resolve to never complain or wallow in self-pity. Life is better than I think it is and have been blessed in more ways than I deserve.
4) I resolve to treat others with respect, consideration, and courtesy whether we become friends or not.
5) I resolve to never consider myself to be so important and indispensable. I am no more important than a grain of sand on a big beach or a drop of water flowing off of my finger from a cup. I better know my place.
6) I resolve to not take shortcuts under the theory that things are generally far worse with this approach.
7) I resolve to not rationalize and justify my conduct. Interpretations of conduct through my lenses can lead to ethical shortcuts faster than I can blink.
8) I resolve to not be egotistical, self-serving, self-righteous, and self-centered.
9) I resolve to never be arrogant, greedy, and entitled.
10) I resolve to conduct my life with grace and humility.
I encourage all of you to think deeply about who you are and what you are all about.
We all have a purpose of some kind and gifts to go along with it.
Think about what you are passionate about, construct your moral compass, and always work to sustain it in a meaningful way.
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and happy holidays. May the New Year bring you joy, happiness, good health, and prosperity.
Remember, do your best every day. No one can ask any more of us.
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