Every year I try to do something I have not done before and do something new. We all set out to establish resolutions for the new year but many of us fail to meet our expectations. Whether we set out to exercise more, lose weight, quit smoking, etc, etc. we all enter a new year revved with excitement, hung over, stuffed in gluttony, thankful, saddened, or even unsure of what your path holds. I believe strongly that our society has become out of touch with the true fundamental strength of America: our ultimate freedom of individualism, our passion for success, our heart that drives of a champion, and our sense of American pride.
I feel the gap between generations directly effect the loss of the true spirit of the United States: Video games replaced organized sports participation; social media replaced social gatherings; Cell phones and email replaced genuine conversation; Reality TV replaced reality; sense of entitlement replaced earning success and rewards. These are only a few examples of contributions to the decline of American culture. But how did our society become this way? We can only blame ourselves as we collectively have lost or allowed our culture to diminish.
As a way forward to preserve our heritage, we should collectively engage in activities to preserve what little culture America still hangs onto. I began this list to highlight ten items but as you can see that list grew.
25 things to do in 2017
- Visit a national landmark
- Roll back time spent on social media
- Put down the phone in social settings
- Gain knowledge on a significant American event
- Read a biography on an American that had an impact in American history
- Derive news from multiple outlets and form your own conclusion
- Thank God more frequently
- Read a book or watch a documentary about the western expansion
- Learn something new about each region of the U.S
- Take time to reflect on the sacrifices people made in developing this great nation
- Listen more than you speak
- Spend more time outdoors than in front of the T.V. or on your handheld device…yes this includes Facebook, Twitter, games, text messaging
- When conversing with friends and family, dialogue with voice rather than text
- Attempt something you would normally be afraid to do
- Set at least 3 personal and 3 professional goals that can be achieved in 2017
- Visit a museum
- Visit a Zoo
- Periodically take walks in a park or on nature trails
- Visit a national or state park
- Give to a charity
- More frequently, talk to God through prayer; listen through meditation
- Eat less, exercise more
- Participate more in your community
- Volunteer for non-profit organizations
- Challenge yourself and don’t give up
The Free State 