Resolve This!

So, I’ve been writing "Resolve This!" for more than twenty years. Last year, I was lazy, wrote the piece on January 12, and changed the title to "Review This!" And pinky swear, I realize my behavior doesn’t impact events totally beyond my control. My delusional thoughts predictably go to USC Football; I’ve developed my game day rituals accordingly. And just like crime novelist Michael Connelly's lead character Harry Bosch, I don’t believe in coincidences. But in 2026, I'm not taking any chances, I don’t want my laziness to account for a 2025 replay, and I don’t need the guilt if last year wasn't a coincidence. Today is December 29.

One week out, 2025 began with a SoCal natural disaster of epic proportions, bringing 100mph Santa Ana winds claiming at least 31 lives, burning 53,000 acres, and destroying 18,000 structures (mostly homes.) Two weeks later, a truly human setback hit the nation indoors with an oath, billionaires, and a bible nearby, but untouched. In June, federal kidnapping of Brown people became a day in the life of Los Angeles Home Depots, elementary schools, constructions sites, farms, hospitals, and courtroom exits. The federalized National Guard arrived, and the Marines soon followed. A few Waymo taxis were abused downtown; the drivers were unavailable for comment.

But what the heck, I’m all for an arbitrary do-over start date opportunity and, low and behold, it is here and now. And I know, deep down, I’ve always looked forward to checking out my mind’s eye vision and seeing a blank sheet of paper begging for the author to add something positive, enthusiastic, and maybe even the promise of action.

According to Strava, the social network for athletes, “Quitter’s Day” (when big numbers of resolvers ditch their New Year’s resolutions) falls on Friday January 9, 2026. Sad. C'mon, at least make it to the Super Bowl! You can do it! Keep it simple, start small. Have an accountability partner/mentor, someone who’s already done it. Keep it positive, add instead of subtracting (read more books rather than do less scrolling). Celebrate your wins. And it’s okay to expand your resolution (I’ll take a walk every day; that was easy, let’s make it a 30-minute walk.)

I believe in resolutions and I’m not afraid to go public with 'em. How do you like those accountability apples? So, without further delay, I give you my Top Ten New Year’s resolutions for 2026:

1. I will read at least 52 books (last year, I read 58).
2. I will walk 4.8M steps (walked 4.7M steps in 2025). 4.8M steps is 2,400 miles, the distance from Pasadena to Philadelphia. I’d prefer making five round trips to San Diego.
3. When I see the word “Upgrade”, instead of “Ugh” I’ll repeat the mantra, “Every time, somehow, I always figure things out.” Disclaimer: Doesn’t include the State of California Bureau of Private PostSeconday Education (BPPE).
4. I will practice empathy and understanding with the same enthusiasm I once celebrated sarcasm and having the last word (a work in progress but relentlessly headed in the right direction-my opinion).
5. I swear on a stack of Bibles I will not sign a document, even in the form of a used napkin, coming from the state of Missouri (if you ask, I will tell you why).
6. Dani Williams, RDA and Von Bulow, DDS will get Impact Assisting Academy off the ground by May 3, 2026. DDS-types, if you’re interested, I can walk you through the process of using your dental practice as a venue for training Dental Assistants in California; it only seems impossible. True impossibility is the Clippers winning an NBA title.
7. I’ll take risks and do stuff that scares me…rock climbing and jumping outta airplanes remain outta the question.
8. I will not say the words “Trump-Kennedy Center” nor the “Gulf of America.” But I will support a presidential visit to northern Greenland led by a team of Huskies.
9. Facing the takeover of Pasadena, the U.S., and the World by AI robots, I will say “I love you” every morning to my desktop computer, Hal.
10. I’ll be looking and listening for empathy, kindness, humor, and understanding. And I’ll embrace all the differences that make all of us smarter than any of us.

Have a healthy, fulfilling, 2026. Love you guys!

Happy New Year!!!