It’s that time of year again. Santa has his list and he’s already checked it twice. Now everyone else has their own list to check off.

This list is not gifts in the literal sense of the word, yet brings smiles to faces for times to come.

New Year resolutions are the annual tradition of making a promise, making a commitment you’ll change something in your life for the coming year.

Health is seemingly the number one focus of majority of people making resolutions. Every year, gyms seen an influx of new members, each with their own goals.

For Keith Scott, his resolution this year sits with him.

“I lost my mother to heart disease and diabetes at 52, and I’m 52 now,” Scott said. “We eat and drink so many bad things. I want to move on to healthier ways of life”

These promises span from the smallest of goals to some that are large leaps.

“I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon within at least two years from now,” Chris May said. The Boston Marathon is one of the best-known marathons in the United States.

“A marathon is 26.2 miles; I can run a half marathon now,” May said. “If I can qualify for the marathon within two years my goal will be completed.”

For Emma Jackson, her resolution is connected to her family.

“I turned 65 this month, and I would really like to make it 66. I’m hoping I can make it there with my health as well as it is now so I can retire,” Jackson said. “If I make it to September, I’ll be able to retire and when I do, I’m going to Texas to babysit my grandchildren.”

Health isn’t always the focus of goals for the new year.

Recent events also influence others to change things in life.

“My New Year’s resolutions is to save more money,” Maxine Tyler said. “Because after this election, I’ve been a little paranoid about the way things are going to go.”

Higher education is a goal for some like, Kieyonnia Miller.

“[I want] to graduate from Hinds with a social degree and go to Alcorn,” Miller said.