Editor’s Journal – A New Year’s resolution to keep: Just try

   I was never a “Star Wars” geek, but one thing that sticks in my mind, something I try to adhere to, came from the wise, rubbery lips of Yoda: “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
   When I eat something I’m pretty certain I shouldn’t, or sneak a cigarette at the bar after I’ve had a couple, I don’t go back and say, “Well, at least I tried to be good.” I failed. It’s not a harsh criticism, though more sensitive types might disagree. It’s a fact. Just because you fail at something doesn’t mean you can’t try again. But, to simply say, “I tried,” and then do it again, isn’t enough. It’s a crutch.
   Yet, as a New Year’s resolution, I am throwing that mindset out the proverbial window and allowing me, and you, to just try. Try what, might you ask? Well, if you’ve picked up on any running theme in the Ledger since I took over in July 2006, it’s my concern about the environment. I will attempt not to get up on any soapboxes or preach any hippie-liberal jargon (though I’m sure resident neo-con packetonline.com posters “Kate” and “Brian” will still accuse me of such) about environmentalism, carbon footprints, sustainability or any of that. Just try.
   Does that mean opting to ride my bike into town should the ability exist, even when my tired legs doth protest? Sure.
   How about being a little less of a holier-than-thou “greenie” to the unconverted because, let’s be honest, no one likes to be told what to do — especially me.
   Just try doesn’t just apply to “environmentalism,” though that’s something I am most interested in. Just try applies to anything you have previously never given much thought to. A local injustice you couldn’t find the nerve before to speak out against. Or something a little less high-minded, like diving into Indian food, though you’ve always thought those seasonings wouldn’t suit you. Have a bite. And, if you don’t like it, hey, at least you can gloat to your friendly neighborhood newspaper editor that you were right all along and he should keep his big, fat mouth shut. But, I don’t think so; Indian food is really good.
   While the new year is in part symbolic changing (last I checked, the winter solstice has about a 10-day lead on it), it’s still as good an excuse as any to better ourselves and the world around us, whether that’s minding your temper at the office when you’re really mad at the jerk who cut you off on Route 1, or tempting your taste buds with an as of yet unknown experience. Just try is exactly what it sounds like. If you’re still not sold on this whole concept, remember, after all, you’re just trying it. No harm, no foul.
   I’ll try to remember that the next time I’m tempted to bum a smoke.
John Dunphy is managing editor of The Lawrence Ledger. He can be reached at [email protected].
Dec. 27, 2007