While I don’t think big decisions should be made on little etymological nuances, those nuances are often intriguing.  Case in point: resolve and resolutions.

Counselor and author Chip Dodd starts his January newsletter with some thoughts on the terms:

Resolution literally means to “untie again,” implying that something has become bound or knotted, and needs to be loosened or freed.

We really don’t like being knotted up or captured by something. A resolution is actually rooted in a desire to become untied and freed from the constrictions. Resolutions are about freedom, like a cast being removed or manacles being unlocked. We think they are about being bound and determined. They are not. They are about wanting to be “untied” or free!

It’s clear that Dodd wants to go a specific place with this approach to resolutions and the New Year.  And it’s just different enough from what we expect that it resonates nicely.  I spent some time a couple of years ago attempting to “unbundle” responsibilities and tasks that I had “wound together” in an attempt to be efficient and effective (but that left me unnecessarily exhausted).  I did check the Online Etymological Dictionary, by the way.  Dodd’s take is definitely there, but it is far from the only one.  I’d also be interested in seeing someone tease out the idea of “resolution” as it relates to images and clarity.  There’s some good stuff there, too.

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Speaking of resolutions, here’s one more classic Calvin and Hobbes strip on the topic.  Typical Calvin.

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This morning I realized that Steven Curtis Chapman’s Still album from 2022 is a perfect “New Year’s” album,  From start to finish, there’s a great sense of the big picture of life as it can be lived in God’s Story.  It’s honest in its assessment of life, the good and the bad, and is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness.  Here’s the video for the title track.

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I’ve got a few days before officially reporting back to work.  But I’ve got much to accomplish, so getting back into the swing of things is just around the corner.  I’ve already answered a few work texts this morning, a precursor to being more intentional this afternoon, I suppose.  I came back to slightly rainy and slightly cooler conditions on the island, which is always nice.  There are still a few Christmas decorations still up, which is nice (my own tree stays for a few days more).   This morning I splurged for breakfast with a caramel machiatto, a rare treat for me.