In the new year

Some resolutions endure and some are obviously made in a weak moment—perhaps while under pressure, or even in a mental vacuum. Some are so odd, it costs to resolve them publicly: they need a push from tradition, New Year’s tradition, to give them voice. Listen to any radio station today: from abominable to zany, there’s a resolution to suit every mindset.

The year 1967, Canada’s Centennial, was the first year I remember making a resolution: save all my pennies to go to Montreal to see “Man and His World.” You can imagine how successful that project was! Others followed, some that really made a difference in my life.

Yes, some resolutions require more than the mere breath it takes to speak them. Some improve life immediately and take on an existence of their own, the will to carry on springs up from early successes; others seem to take a meandering path into the horizon, the reward always just out of sight. The really good ones can harmonize aims for next month with lifelong aspirations. They may even relieve a person of the responsibility of ever having to make a New Year’s resolution again!

One of these resolutions came to me, not on New Year’s Day, but on a Remembrance Day. Dame Vera Lynn performed her famous “There’ll be Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover” and, to my ear, she sounded even better than any of the recordings I had previously heard! You remember her? She was a popular World War II performer and has continued performing all these years, soon to turn 92 by my estimation. What an inspiration! I keep an open mind: maybe she was lip-syncing! But if not . . .

The voice seems to be one of those muscles slow to wear out. We were born to use it! Arthritis doesn’t affect any vocal joints. True, the voice is largely dependent on the ability to breathe deeply. The bottom line is, as long as a person has breath, vocalizing is possible. Even people who have lost vocal cords to accident or disease can make themselves heard by following a regimen of breathing exercises. Vocalists are athletes who exercise their vocal muscles regularly. Alone or with others of like mind, express yourself!

Now, I don’t have to tell you I’ll never build a “Vera Lynn”-class voice, anymore than everyone who kicks a soccer ball becomes a Ronaldinho. This isn’t the time to delve into the ins and outs of why people who are resigned to wearing their faces right out where the world can see them, yet stop themselves from singing “O Canada” or “Amazing Grace.” It is time to consider what you want to do with your voice—it doesn’t have to be singing!

As for 2009, I am resolving to learn the first chapter of Ruth, five more rhymes (or maybe one Robert Service) and three new songs. See how becoming a vocal athlete simplifies life?

Let’s sing!