By R. Vincent Tupaz
For Variety

I resolve to stick to my diet! I resolve to pay off my debts! I resolve to work less, live more! I resolve to quit smoking and on and on and on…
Notice what the aforementioned resolutions have in common? They all have the connotations of words that are synonyms of cut, chop, slash, hack and sever. Why do most people resolve to reduce something or another? Why can’t they just do more?
According to Wikipedia, the internet’s free encyclopedia, “a New Year’s resolution is a commitment <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commitment> that an individual makes to a project or a habit <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habit>,” It is also noted in Wikipedia that most often the change has to do with a “ lifestyle <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle> change that is generally interpreted as advantageous.”
The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Day> and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.
So it goes that “M any New Year resolutions in the Western world <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_world> involve maintaining peak vitality, physical fitness <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_fitness>, or appearance. For example, one person’s goal might be to reduce or to eliminate intake of alcohol <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage>, tobacco <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco>, or recreational drugs <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recreational_drug>. The most common New Year’s resolution is weight loss <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_loss>. A student may make a resolution to stay focused in class or to complete all of his assignments. Resolutions to eat sensibly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieting or increase exercise <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise> are also quite common as stated above.
For athletes, the goal, be it New Year’s or not - is always to continually improve his or her game. “You got game?” If not, then the perfect resolution for an athlete is to practice to perfection so that they can achieve the dream.
Major League Baseball Ballplayer and hometown hero J.R . Hattig is a perfect example of living the dream. Despite his professional league status, J.R. remains grounded and down to earth. Upon interviewing him as the top sports story of the year for the Marianas Variety Guam Edition, I left impressed with the homegrown star athlete. His out look on his future as an MLB player was straightforward and realistic. He knew that he had to continually improve, work hard and turn the challenges that come with the fame into positive experiences.
Hattig, like his uncle, Keith are blazing the path of all-star fame for our island’s youth. It’s up to us, generation X’ers and Y’zers to keep the torch and to help improve sophistication and level of play in all sports on Guam.
Let’s resolve to make sports development a priority in 2007 on Guåhan. Let’s follow the lead of people like Angel Calugay, Peter Baggetta, Steve Phillips and the Lai family of Shirley’s Restaurant fame. All are working on Guam to improve the level of sports on Guam. Just this week, Calugay introduced the Wood Bat League, Phillips is the president of the Guam Youth Football League, Baggetta is ensuring that Guam remains in tip top shape in its young Rugby history and the Lai’s contribute much to soccer. On behalf of all who participate in sports - Thanks for all you do for sports on Guam.
R. Vincent Tupaz is a former beat reporter for the Variety, journalism teacher, and entrepreneur and a “has been” football player and coach. Currently he’s an all around nice guy. Feedback, comments, and or suggestions are always appreciated via email at mvsports@gmail.com. Please send angry comments elsewhere.