Each year, millions of people determine they will makelife-changing alterations in their lives. Traditionally, peopleresolve to make these decisions at the dawn of a new year for afresh start.

Success in keeping these resolutions, however, is oftendifficult to achieve, said Tommy McCullough of Nola.

“I hold to them once in a while,” he said. “It’s hard todo.”

A questionable track record is no reason not to make the attemptthough, he said. McCullough has once again resolved to confront amajor adjustment for 2005.

“I’m going to try to quit chewing,” he said while spittingtobacco juice into a bottle. “That’s a big one. I might runeveryone else out from the house before I can get that onedone.”

Resolutions to quit chewing or smoking are common this time ofyear. For many it’s not the first year to make that resolution, hesaid.

Another common resolution on the horizon of a new year is tolose weight.

Carolyn Butler, of Brookhaven, said she intends to do both: stopsmoking and lose weight. To her, it’s a matter of health.

“Everybody says lose weight, I know that. I’m with them,” shesaid. “I’ll try to walk the dogs a bit more to help with that andtry some other things. Good health is what both me and my husbandare resolving to have this year.”

Health was also on Jackie Yates’ mind. Yates, of McCall Creek,said to have a healthy body, one should also have a healthymind.

“My resolution is to learn to take it easy and take it one dayat a time – not be so stressed about all the small things,” shesaid. “I think as you get closer to retirement you push a littleharder to get things done. I’m ready to relax a little and enjoylife.”

Javis Lewis, of Brookhaven, said he also intends to relax andenjoy life, but he will do that by spending more time at home.

“This year I’m going to stay closer to home,” he said. “I wasgoing to move out of the state, but I think now I’m going tostay.”

Lewis said he had a different resolution planned, but recentevents with a family member and medical problems changed his mind.The resolution will also allow him more time with other familymembers.

“I want to stay closer to all my family members, mainly mysons,” Lewis said.

For others, resolutions are simply a way to rededicatethemselves to a goal they have already committed themselves toobtaining.

“I’m going to try to be a better servant to our Lord JesusChrist, and I hope that other people will follow suit,” said TommyFranklin of Nola, a deacon at Holly Springs Baptist Church. “I tryto do that regularly.”

How successful is he you might ask?

“Improving,” he said with a chuckle. “But I still needwork.”

There are others, however, who believe making resolutions thatpeople know they won’t keep or resolving to accomplish a goalalready completed is not worth thinking about.

Nathan Holybee, of Brookhaven, said he had not even consideredmaking a New Year’s resolution.

“I’m not really all that worried about it,” he said.