According to the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, a New Year resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. Some popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. As such, when a New Year comes, it is common practice that people will indulge in all forms of so called ‘resolutions’—making commitments to do something for the year ahead. While making ‘resolutions’ is nothing wrong, yet there have been times when this culture of making promises have been ridiculed because human nature is want to break a commitment or promise more often than not. The die hard skeptics may even say that the only New Year’s resolution is the resolve to make no resolutions.
As such some of us may feel that making New Year resolutions is a pointless exercise—because we never succeed beyond say one or two months at the most. However, though we are skeptical of making resolutions, yet not making an effort or giving it a try is also a sign of one’s negative mindset—of refusing to accept reality or change for a good cause. It would be all the more appropriate if one can take time to reflect, evaluate, correct and move on. The period of entering the New Year is in fact an opportune time to look for new innovations in our work places, mend ties to our broken relationships, reconcile our differences with our fellow Naga brothers and sisters etc. It is that time of year when we look ahead and ask ourselves what we can do better and what positive changes we can make. Hence New Year's resolutions or better still, setting realistic goals.
Many Nagas are likewise setting their own resolutions and it is not to anybody’s surprise that ‘reconciliation’ remains the number one priority for the year ahead. Naga people aspire for a peaceful resolution of all issues both within and without. Beyond resolutions for reconciliation, those who are working for the same must be encouraged to set goals and not merely ‘resolution making’. Goal-setting involves quantifiable results. The different Naga national groups must also not fall short in acting out on their own commitment, expressed publicly on more than one occasions for reconciliation, peace and unity. It is time to make clear choices—to succeed or fail, of peace or violence, having prosperity or poverty, of happiness or sorrow etc. If for instance, the different national groups are committed in their support for the reconciliation process under the umbrella of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), then it makes common sense to ensure from all groups that the process remains a success. And if success is the goal then the intent to succeed must be demonstrated by all groups. Mere support for reconciliation alone will not lead to positive outcomes. What will be required in the days to come will be the political will on all sides to make reconciliation and peace a reality, not a utopia.
