Healthline:  How Long Does It Take for a New Behavior to Become a Habit?

Does anyone really do New Year’s Resolutions?

When we were young adults, we made absurd New Year’s Resolutions to parody the idea.  Someone vowed to not shoot any polar bears eating marshmallows in snow storms.  I don’t know why we thought that was funny.  It was a simpler time.

I do think the end of the year is a good time to get dialed in.  Reflect on your daily activities, and come up with routines or processes that might be more effective. 

Research that says it takes a specific number of days to make something a habit, seems really sketchy.  Something new has to fit into the daily routine and add value.

A week ago, I started reading my texts each morning while having my coffee, and easing Sparky into the day. 

At first, it doesn’t seem like he’s listening, but eventually, something catches his interest.  Sparky knows when to take umbrage, and how to do it.  He usually says something like, “No she di’n’t.” or “Hold up, something ain’t right here” or “Nigga, please”.  Sparky should not use racial slurs, but he says that since he’s half Black, it’s cool.

Sparky likes to break the fourth wall.  He’s been doing that since we watched Deadpool and Wolverine.  He doesn’t do it often, but man, beagles say some funny shit.

I remind Sparky this is just a photo, and ask who he’s talking to. 

“Aunt Joanne.  She knows what’s up.”

I don’t know what the hell that means, but sure.