For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Ah yes, New Year’s Eve is back with a vengeance. Thanksgiving wooed us, Christmas whispered sweet nothings in our ear, and then New Year’s Eve slaps us across the face with the stinging reality that another year has gone by and you’re not nearly as successful as you’d hoped to be. In 2013, you wished to be married, planned on acquiring wealth, and resolved to get washboard abs. But alas, verbal contracts have always failed you, just as every new holiday resolution does. And yet, like an ignorant child, we find ourselves looking back fondly on the year that crushed us, excited for more in the coming one. We choose to dull this painful truth, though, with a “cup of kindness” that more closely resembles a vat of cheap bubbly.

Please pardon my cynicism. I write this knowing I will be tending bar as the clock strikes twelve with no one to kiss. (No one worthy that is.) 2014 is also the year I will give up by Miss NY USA crown, with my social relevance hanging by a string bikini. I am grateful for everything this past year has been. 2013 will forever be titled “The year I was Miss New York USA”, and I have to say, that’s pretty amazing. As amazing, is the pressure to top the year I just had. Can a resolution help in this formidable quest? That is why we make resolutions isn’t it? To help us move on from the past and into a more fruitful future? My resolution last year, as completely ridiculous as it sounds, was to be kind to myself. I knew I was entering an important venture in my life, and I needed to be my biggest cheerleader. By forgiving my faults and praising my achievements, I was able to really love the woman in the sash. I suggest that if you’re stuck on ideas for a resolution, pick this one. It’s something you have to work at every day, but by the end of the year, you’ll be better for it.

So what should my resolution be this year? I was on a diet all last year, so getting lean and mean is out. Can I resolve to stop bartending? While I ache to do work I love, love doesn’t pay the bills. Maybe I’ll give that self-kindness mission another go. After all, how can you pay it forward if you have nothing to give? Oh, and better posture. I really need to work on that.

Love this scene, mostly for the gorgeous rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Enjoy.

Cheers to a great year ahead and only a small hangover in the morning!