New Year’s Resolutions and Temptation

So I have this theory about temptation which I think applies nicely to New Year’s Resolutions.


Is it possible to resist a temptation indefinitely or is it inevitable that once temptation has her teeth in me that my submission is a given? It seems to me that temptation has all the time in the world. The smoker or alcoholic or the person struggling with weight problems says, “I want to overcome this thing in my life” and temptation slips into a nearby shadow and waits… and waits… and waits… She does not need to attack the moment you voice your resolution. She is no fool, at that moment your resolve is strong…

She has all the time in the world…

Eventually your resolve weakens… or your commitment is forgotten… you grow weary or tired and then BAM temptation pounces.

I consider myself a pseudo-alcoholic… It’s my article I can make up whatever categories I wish.

What I mean is even though I have never had a beer, no vodka, no rum… no alcoholic beverages at all except a sip or two of wine I find myself with random, inexplicable cravings for alcohol. Over the years I’ve discovered that these alcoholic cravings come when I am stressed, tense or extremely fatigued.

…temptation in the shadows…

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve probably consumed a cumulative total of a single glass of wine in my entire life – but the craving is still there.

Is it inevitable that I will one day “fall of the wagon”?



I am not saying this to mock those who have taken the alcohol ride to hell and back, nor to make light of those who struggle with alcohol addictions of a more violent or serious nature in their own lives or the lives of those they love – and while this may seem petty it is for me a serious concern.

My question is – is it possible for me to overcome this temptation? Or is it just a matter of time?

Does that seem fatalistic? Should we all just throw up our hands and give in to our personal demons (and yes we all have them – anger, jealousy, alcohol, lust, fear…).

Is temptation all-powerful?

It’s that last question that gave me pause.

Is temptation all-powerful?

Patient but inevitable?

Because I don’t like that idea I’ve wrestled with this (for some years I’ll confess).

It occurred to me that there is a solution... a kryptonite for temptation.  If temptation loves to sit in the shadow waiting… if temptation has “all the time in the world” the solution has to be a time solution.

Temptation waits for some future moment… thing is, I don’t live in the future. I live in a split second moment called “the present”. It is quite true that at some point in the future I may become a raving alcoholic… I cannot control that… what I can control is this exact moment which I am presently living.

…and in this moment I will not submit.  In this moment I will resist the Siren's call

The problem with resolutions is that they put my battle (with weight, alcohol, cigarettes, greed, lust, anger…etc) into the future… into a space that I cannot control and do not occupy. I might as well talk about getting my crops in on the moon. When I bring that fight into this moment… the moment I am currently living… into the Light so to speak temptation steps deeper into the shadows and waits. Fine, let her wait, this moment is mine… and in this moment I can fight… and I can win.

Don’t make resolutions for the year… make them for the moment.

Instead of saying, “I will give up smoking this year” say, “I’m not going to smoke right now… in this moment.”

This is the AA method right? OK, I’m still an alcoholic, but right now at this moment, I’m not going to drink.

Temptation may be stronger than me tomorrow, or next year… or ten years from now… but this moment… this moment in time is mine…

…I own this moment

…I’m Superman in this moment

In this moment (in the words of MC Hammer) you can’t touch this!



…my 2c