That’s it. I’ve got my New Year’s resolution.

I know it’s small, but at least it’s a step forward from last year’s:

“In 2007, I promise to allow my liver to work.”

Maybe you’re working on your resolutions. Here’s some help: I heard one reason resolutions fail is that they can be too big, and that’s why I decided to make smaller ones. Plus, now I know why some of my other ones failed!

2006: This year I WILL become a really smart scientist.

2002: I promise to evangelize the Southern Hemisphere.

2000: I’ll stop being afraid of pecans. (OK, maybe only this is a big one for me.)

1999: Become daredevil stunt dude guy.

Another reason resolutions fail is you can set too many. This isn’t really a problem for me—or most guys. If we set them at all, they usually stay simple or all sound alike:

1. Workout more.

2. Go to the gym.

3. Start lifting weights.

4. Get bigger and stronger.

But girls? I’ve seen the list of resolutions some girls come up with, and it can be a recipe for discouragement:

Start exercising, stop snorting when I laugh, begin journaling, drink more water, paint toenails weekly, stop thinking about Josh, no more fast food, help youth leader, give 12 hugs a day, write Grandma, sing in worship band, memorize the Old Testament, no sneezing around guys, start quilting, get straight A’s, no more pony tails, tour with Relient K . . .

And this is just for January through March.

Now honestly, I have a tougher resolution for this year, but I’m afraid to start. It seems too hard.

“I want to start eating better.”

Simple, right? Not for me. There are some major reasons why this resolution will be difficult:

1. My food pyramid has three parts: cookies, foods I like, foods I don’t like.

2. I’m originally from Wisconsin. It’s hard to eat really healthy there—butter is considered a food group. And cheese is considered a vegetable.

3. Media pressure. Did you know guys are actually encouraged to eat bad? Whenever an ad on TV or in a magazine shows a girl and food, they’re usually dancing around eating yogurt, a fruity snack or drinking zero-calorie soda. But guys? They’re 400 pounds and grilling a steak the size of a water heater.

I got it! Maybe I could make a resolution to not make resolutions! Or I could make a list of stuff I WON’T do. That way, by not doing anything, I’d actually succeed!

(Example: I won’t run as fast as a cat. I won’t win the award of “Greek Dancing Champion.”)

Of course, I could just step out in faith, pray that God would help me eat better and remember how the Bible promises that when I am weak, He is strong.

I know that’s the best resolution I can make—although I’m still hoping for that daredevil-stunt-dude-guy one.