Questioning the real efficacy of me-focused New Year’s resolutions was yesterday’s topic at the first lunch hour meeting at the Women’s Center.
A dozen students and faculty met in Hanna Hall to kick off the semester’s programming with a presentation led by graduate assistants Lisa Richman and Cynthia Fulford, titled ‘How About Making a New Year’s Revolution.’
Richman said people often neglect others in their new year promises and suggested starting 2007 being a bit less selfish and realizing the lack of impact one makes on peers by being self-serving. A revolution, instead, would mean creating positive life alterations for everyone.
Group participants offered all of the classic resolutions: lose weight, be more active, get finances in order. Few could relate how their resolutions would help others, though the majority explained their intent to jump their involvement with charity, activism and do-good relations.
Instead of making personal goals to drop the pounds, one attendee’s resolution was to create a support group that made it a joint effort to get well by trekking around metro parks. Another noted the continued need for post-Katrina assistance, and her efforts in supporting the clean-up.
Shifting the analysis of forming movements, the question of empowerment segued the discussion from ‘what one can do’ to ‘how to do it.’
Director of Women’s Studies, Victoria Krane, said Bowling Green students show a general sense of helplessness in advocating change because they’re unaware of their support options.
‘The problem is systemic,’ Krane said. ‘Students aren’t made aware of the options of where to turn.’
In failing to initialize a revolution, participants said, any effective resolution goes to the wayside. Becoming informed through literary and online resources, utilizing staff and faculty expertise and dedicating oneself to informing others was the common solution set forth.
But, it’s taking the initiative, one observer said, that kindles a movement.
‘One little push can get the snowball rolling,’ said Eileen Sawyer, a recent Bowling Green graduate. The point – a ‘Pay It Forward’ notion put into action could potentially change the world long term. Revolutions, after all, should prove generation spanning.
Richman also reflected on how diverse religions mark the same devotion to sparking positive changes. The Hebrew phrase ‘tikkun olam’ translates to ‘repairing the world,’ and Kwanzaa outlines seven principles of unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Tying personal attitudes with religious beliefs together, finding common goals among others seems less farfetched.
The group ended on a note of resolving to simply ‘try.’
The Women’s Center invites the community to their weekly Brown Bag Luncheons, with a full schedule of semester topics from next week’s ‘Myths and Realities of Nutrition in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding,’ with expert Nancy Howe, to a look at pornography for women and a discussion on credit protection. The luncheons begin at noon every Wednesday.
