New year, new you, right?

With all the best intentions, I have once again set my New Year’s resolutions — several — to improve my self and how I connect with nature and society.

I prefer to set intentions, instead of resolutions, because as a yogi I find they actually stick. Resolutions are specific and focus more on the end point, while intentions focus on the energy to get there.

For example, a resolution would be, I will lose 10 pounds by the summer. An intention would be, I will care for my body, and eat fresh food and exercise daily.

See the difference?

Well, there is one intention I would like all of us to at least reflect upon. Think before you speak — or in our new world order, think before you type.

As the editor of this newspaper, which continues to shift into a digital-first platform, I am often online posting, sharing, and reading comments. I love the engagement with the stories we share when the responses are actually about the story, and not just the headline, or feeding off other negative comments in the feed.

My New Year’s intention will be to think before I comment, and so should yours. When someone shares a story on another Facebook group, and then others spout off about something completely unrelated to the content of the story, it’s not constructive, rather it perpetuates negativity.

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We work hard to give you the news to help the community stay informed about what is happening with our government, school system, environment, industry, and so on. If you simply read the headline, or guess what the story is about based on other comments, then misinformation is shared, and shared again, and that my friends is fake news.

Let’s work together on this. Take the time to read the full article, or at least the first few paragraphs, think about how you’d like to respond, craft an informed comment, and share.

The resolution could be, I will delete Facebook or stay off of social media. The intention could be, I will think before I type, and contribute to the community conversation. Now let the constructive comments begin.

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To report a typo, email: editor@thenorthernview.com.