First Posted: 1/1/2014

Lisa Rushing

Staff Writer

RICHMOND COUNTY — Each year before the new year rolls around, many people start thinking about and setting goals or resolutions for the coming year.

The top 10 New Year’s resolutions for 2014, according to a study published this month by the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, are to lose weight, get organized, spend less and save more, enjoy life to the fullest, stay fit and healthy, learn something exciting, quit smoking, help others in their dreams, fall in love and spend more time with family.

In an informal poll done on Monday at Food Lion in Hamlet and Walmart in Rockingham, Richmond County residents shared their resolutions — and some fell in line with that study.

“I’m going to take each day as it comes, and deal with what the good Lord has set forth for me to do and keep pressing forward,” Linda Teal, of Hamlet, said hoping that 2014 is a victorious year for her.

Local celebrity Scuba Steve, of Rockingham, was singing in the Walmart parking. During a break, he said that he resolves to make it to Nashville to be a professional country music singer. He also wants to sell Scuba Steve T-shirts this year.

Cordelia Steele, of Rockingham, resolves to be healthy and happy.

“I’m going to eat right, reduce my stress by staying active and I’m going to be forgiving and ignore people that are not healthy in my life,” Steele said, recognizing that these goals are long-term.

Steele also said she plans to spend more time with her family this year, because “you never know when you’re not going to have the opportunity.”

Tina Byrd, of Hamlet, plans to lose more weight by eating healthy. Byrd hopes to achieve this by eating more salads, drink water instead of soda, and will bake more. Byrd started last night by drinking juice and baking her meal. Byrd’s resolution fortunately won’t stop her from enjoying the traditional collard greens and black eyed peas though.

Tishko Johnson, of Hamlet, wants to make more money in 2014. Johnson’s short-term resolution is to be engaged and married before Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. Johnson does already have a boyfriend, so there’s a chance.

The study reported that 75 percent of people’s resolutions lasted a week, 71 percent made it past two weeks, 64 percent lasted past one month and 46 percent went on to more than six months. So perhaps No. 1 on everyone’s list of New Year’s resolutions should be to stick with the resolutions.