By LEE SCOTT

As I sat writing out some of my resolutions for the New Year, I stopped to ask my spouse if he had any he would like to add.

“No!” he responded. “Resolutions are promises that always get broken.”

Interesting response, but I persevered.

“Well, let’s call them something else.”

I came up with some suggestions like goals, future plans, vows, pledges. I was stretching it. Declarations, determinations. What else could I call them?

That is when he said, “A rose by any other name.”

He was right. My list of “to do” for 2020 was still a resolution list regardless.

It seems like people have many of the same kinds of New Year’s resolutions every year. “Lose weight,” “save money,” “eat a healthier diet” and “get in shape” all seem to be a constant year after year.

But by the end of the first quarter, while sitting eating a McDonald’s cheeseburger after having passed up the gym one more time, people forget about their lists.

Many people include “start a new hobby” on their annual list, but we decided we both have enough hobbies now.

“Okay,” I responded. “How about a different approach? Rather than a list of New Year resolutions, how about something like ‘What can we do in 2020 that will have a positive impact on our life and the lives around us?’”

For that, he was game.

To start, we decided that the smartest, and most likely resolution to be followed, was to treat ourselves like guests. After all, don’t the guests always get the newest bath towels and bed linens.

They also get to use the beautiful place mats and cloth napkins. We pull out our good china, silverware, and tablecloths for them.

Maybe it was time we needed to use all these items ourselves rather than just save them for company.

Then I suggested that we treat our children and grandchildren like guests to make sure they know how important and special they are in our lives. We tend to take them all for granted, when they are really a great group of people.

As we sat and talked about 2020, we both became more animated as to how we wanted to spend it. Our Rose list wasn’t filled with unachievable goals, but more with how to enjoy 2020.

More comedy shows, more upbeat books, and more walks on the beach.

Instead of a list of ways to improve ourselves, we thought that our list should include enjoying 2020 and not beating ourselves up over diets and getting into shape.

When all was said and done, we were happy with our plans for 2020.

In the end, regardless of the name of the list, it still smelled just as sweet.

<i>Lee Scott, a writer and recent retiree, shares her everyday observations about life after career. A former commercial banker responsible for helping her clients to reach their business objectives, Scott now translates those analytical skills to her writings. She lives on St. Helena Island and enjoys boating, traveling and reading.</i>