Here's a challenge for the new year

New Year’s resolutions — both making them and breaking them — are beyond cliché.

So, let’s issue this as more of a challenge than a resolution, and one that should be relatively easy to accomplish.

In 2020, try something new.

Simply read a new book, watch a new TV show, listen to some new music or try a new meal at a restaurant and you’ve accomplished it. You can start with our list from yesterday’s “The CR Recommends” feature or hunt down your own new options.

But, we’d encourage you to also take it a step or two further.

Try something new by getting off of the couch and away from your phone. Here are some suggestions:

•Join a service club. There’s certainly no shortage of options, including the Elks, Lions, Rotary, Eagles, Moose, Optimists and any number of others.

•Clubs aren’t your thing? Volunteer for an individual event or activity. Secret Families of Jay County had more than 100 volunteers show up last month. Their time commitment was a single day. There are so many organizations and events that could use help, even if only for a few hours.

•Attend a local government meeting. Students in Jay County High School government classes attend as a requirement, but we’re not sure how many members of the community ever make their way to a meeting again. You just might gain a better understanding of how things happen. (Feel free to ask questions, politely. Government officials are there to serve you.)

•Take advantage of your local library. If you haven’t noticed, the library isn’t just about books anymore. Libraries hold all sorts of activities and host many different clubs that might be of interest.

•Coach a youth sport through Portland Junior League, Jay County Pee Wee Football, Jay Community Center, West Jay Community Center, Pennville Soccer Club, CYO or any number of other options.

•Better yet, participate in a new sport. The community center has leagues for children and adults in a variety of sports. Beyond that, pick up a basketball and go shoot at a local park. Grab a racket and head to the tennis courts at JCHS. Go on a bike ride. Go for a run (or start with a walk).

•Take in a local event. It’s a common refrain that “there’s nothing to do here.” But all too often when there is something to do, residents still stay home. Instead, attend a concert at Arts Place or one of our local schools, go to one of our several trivia nights in the community, head to The Blind Tiger in Redkey for its open mic night, attend a sporting event, visit a festival or spend a day at a museum.

•Participate. All too often as adults, we are wrapped up in the activities of our children and/or bask in the glory of our high school activities. It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s important to continue to grow. So, participate in a sport, as noted above. Pick up a new instrument. Run for office. Try out for a play. Take a course at John Jay Center for Learning. Sign up for an art class.

You don’t have to be an expert in any of these areas in order to participate, just willing to learn.

Trying something new is an extremely low-risk proposition.

Maybe you won’t like it. If you don’t, no big deal. There’s no long-term commitment.

But you also might just find a new favorite food, make a new friend or develop a new passion. You might just find something that changes your life.

You never know until you try. — R.C.