The new year has seen itself in without any assistance from me for a number of years. My being sleepy and grumpy on the first day of a new year is a poor start. I don't make New Year's resolutions as a general rule. But, a bout of nasty health issues this past year made me realize that having goals for the new year might not be a bad thing. Nothing terribly dramatic but simply reminders of what I can do to make 2010 different from 2009.

I resolve to do something that shows how much I care for my spouse every week, every day if I can manage it. We have been together for a number of years and it is easy to say that "she knows I care." It is important to both say and show that I care.

I resolve to read the Bible from cover to cover this year. To discover what I should be doing and about my life. Not to discover what my neighbor should be doing with their life.

That distinction leads to a different understanding of many parts of the Bible. How often are we standing behind Jesus while he lectures to others and how rarely are we the ones being lectured? How many of us see ourselves as the Pharisee in Luke 18:11 who stands at the front of the template thanking the Deity for all his blessings?

I resolve to be a more active neighbor and member of the community. Building the relationships that will sustain our community during good times and bad can't be done from in front of a TV or a computer screen. Reaching out will only enrich my life while hopefully enriching those of others.

Happy New Year!

Patrick Durusau is a resident of Covington. His columns appear regularly on Fridays.