What are the first words that come to mind when you hear that repetitive phrase “New Year’s resolution”? Treadmill, salad, reading, hydration? All these words come from the impulsive minds that we say over and over again each year expecting a new outcome. When the magical ball drops and when the suspenseful clock hits twelve, everything that we have once done or said immediately leaves our minds and we make an instant obligation to clear everything and start over.

We wake up and decide to throw those old clothes away, the same clothes that kept us warm all year, and those “old” hair products, the same ones that saved us from the worst hair day of our lives just last month. We at The Tower understand that the phrase “New Year, New Me” triggers something in our minds that we have to forget all the hard work that we have done just because the month changes like it naturally does every 30 days or so. We neglect to celebrate the hard work and victories that we have achieved during the year. What we fail to realize is that New Year’s resolutions are bigger than just seeing those calories burnt on that stair master, trying to keep your car clean, or any other unfulfilled goal that we may think of.

According to a report from Forbes, 42 percent of Americans say they want to start over as soon as they can into the new year. Now we can compare this to the nine percent of people that add on to their previous achievements. Nine percent is deficient but this low number is from people who have carried their resolution through the year and throughout their lives. We at The Tower want to take into consideration that for some, this time of year is a reminder of someone’s previous achievement. People tend to forget about their experiences on January 1; everyone wants a clean slate. People forget that during the past year might’ve been someone’s lowest screen or a year of clean eating.

On Jan. 2, 2023, Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed into cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest with a helmet. After being rushed to the hospital with a positive resuscitation, he was diagnosed with Commotio Coridos, a deadly heart condition. He spent nine days in intensive care. During his recovery, he was determined to come back to the Bills, and a year later, he is now poised to win Comeback Player of the Year according to CBS News.

Now on Jan. 3, 2024, Hamlin posted a remembrance post on his Instagram about how he is “still thankful for every ounce of love and prayer” he has received over the past year’s challenges. When we at The Tower say the new year is a reminder of past achievements, we think of these. Things that are hard to forget. Situations that have made us stronger and more passionate people. Events that have traumatized and shaped and shifted our minds. Hamlin will continue to grow and each year when that clock hits midnight, Lord willingly he will be blessed to be heart failure-free. Hamlin won’t forget about this and act like it never happened. He doesn’t want to erase his past and start over. We at The Tower want everyone to remember and congratulate those who make it another year; to remember their struggles and celebrate their triumphs. Just because the year is over doesn’t mean your past is.