As we come to the end of another year, some of us are thinking about making New Year’s resolutions. But think back: How did those vows for 2009 turn out?

Maybe a few people stopped smoking or drinking last Jan. 1; maybe several more gave up overeating and lost weight. The majority of us had good intentions, but most of our resolutions to give up some petty vice or unhealthy habit lasted about as long as it took to fire up a barbecue.

Maybe the problem is the “giving up” part. Instead of deciding what not to do next year, let’s just try being kind to those around us.

All year long, the Acorn community holds fundraisers for schools, churches, synagogues and charities, and plans walks, runs, auctions and contests to gather money for people in need— anonymous strangers whose faces we wouldn’t recognize. Filling the shelves of food banks and providing clothing and the necessities of life to the less fortunate should be more than just random acts of kindness. This coming year, spend some time giving of yourself and striving to make life easier for others.

After the disastrous 2009, there’s no shortage of people who are hurting.

Even those who are financially stable and can afford to live in Thousand Oaks can use help, one way or another.

Some would welcome a smile or just a friendly word to help soothe an emotionally scarred day. Maybe a mom could use a hand lifting a heavy grocery bag into the trunk of her car, but nobody offers. Maybe a fragile senior needs help opening a heavy door, and everybody just walks by. Maybe a driver needs to change lanes to get off the 101 Freeway, but the angry motorist behind refuses to yield.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Almost all of the world’s religions espouse some version of the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Making a promise to follow this advice—and keeping your commitment—would go a long way toward helping your fellow man.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be proscriptive devices. You don’t have to give up something, but you should strive to give.

Let’s resolve to make 2010 a kinder, gentler year.