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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Try goals that can benefit you, others

Church leaders offer suggestions

Ron Orozco McClatchy

Going into a new year, it’s easy to make resolutions that are too tough on yourself – and hardly realistic. However, there are many practical goals that you can aim for in a new year that not only are beneficial to you but also to others. Recently, leaders of various Fresno, Calif., faith communities gave their suggestions going into 2010.

•Memorize a song.

•Slow down.

•Cut down on waste. Connie Young, a Green Sanctuary committee member at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, says “every barrel of oil we waste is stolen from future generations.”

•Forgive others.

•Love others. Rabbi Levy Zirkind of Chabad of Fresno says you can choose to love others as yourself. “You honor others with the dignity that you want reciprocated,” he says.

•Repay a kindness.

•Touch a life. Fermin A. Whittaker, executive director of California Southern Baptist Convention in Fresno, says many people are feeling a sense of hopelessness. Offer words of encouragement to them, particularly the homeless.

•Feed the hungry.

•Remember the ill.

•Be humble.

•Look past the daily grind. Monika Joshi, a volunteer at Hindu Temple of Fresno, says looking past the ups and downs in everyday life can enable you to better understand your purpose.

•Have faith like a child.