I don’t like New Years Resolutions because I don’t think you should wait for an arbitrarily made-up event like the start of a “new year” to make a change that will improve your life. For instance, I resolved to start exercising last September when my blood pressure spiked. I figured that was God was telling me that I had better start taking care of myself, so I listened.

But two years ago today I made a resolution that I thought I could keep and that would serve good purpose. It worked so well that I made the same resolution the following year.

I resolved that if I were wearing a belt, it would have a holster on it. Sometimes it would hold my carry weapon but more often than not the holster would be empty, but it would always be there.

Every day when I thread a belt through my holster and walk out the door unarmed because I am going to a place where I cannot protect myself I am reminded that our rights have been eroded over decades of history. Each time my hand brushes across the empty leather I am reminded that our forefather’s words have been twisted and corrupted. Each time I notice the empty container I am reminded that the struggle to keep our rights is one that must be fought every day because those that seek to take them away never tire and never rest. Each time I become aware of my vulnerability to criminals I am reminded of the gun control has failed on every continent except Antarctica and that law abiding innocents have paid the price for that failure with their blood.

I do not want my grandchildren to pay that price and so I have kept this resolution for two years, having failed to wear my holster only thrice — and never on purpose. I am able to wear my holster at work without comment because I wear a sports jacket which conceals it. The wearing is not for others to see, it is not to draw questions or criticisms. It is only for me, my personal reminder that there are larger issues at stake than those in my life; that the fight for rights concerns us all.

I have worn my holster on airlines without exciting the government workers that routinely frisk nuns and war heros. I have worn it into government buildings without drawing the ire of policemen. I have worn it into restaurants that serve alcohol without panicking the owners or other customers.

This year I resolve to wear my holster again as a constant reminder to continue the fight until that time that it is barren leather no longer, until we can all protect ourselves in government buildings, restaurants and yes, even on airplanes.

Other people’s resolutions:

• President Bush has a resolution.
• Scrappleface has some better resolutions for Bush (I love the last one). [HT to Mudville Gazette]
• Wizbang has only one that any parent can identify with.
• Maggie’s Farm collected resolutions from pub customers.
• The Malcontent posts resolutions from several people, most gay, some not. [HT to Right Side of the Rainbow]
• Dizzy Girl seems to be accepting the inevitable.

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