The New Year is not just about which house bought the most expensive fireworks in the neighborhood or about the scrumptious food at our grandparents’ house. For most people, January 1 of every year is a day full of promises and hope for the months to follow. It is on this day that people start to leave their regrets and mistakes behind and resolve to live by a new set of resolutions.

But let’s be honest. As bad as it may sound, New Year resolutions come and go as quickly as the fireworks do. The sense of optimism at the start of the year wanes as the days go by, as seen with the many incomplete “365 Projects” of 2013. Nevertheless, every new year still sees people who are determined to “go to the gym once a week,” “eat healthier” and “stop cursing.” But what good do these promises bring if they are only limited to changing your waistline or bad habits?

Resolutions should go beyond our selfish desire to change ourselves and the past. New Year resolutions should be focused on bringing brighter futures to and for everyone, including those we have never met. And we, as Filipinos, should know this better than most people.

The year 2013 brought along many challenges for us Filipinos. The most unforgettable one being the tragedies caused by natural calamities. It’s a wonder that, in one year, we were hit by not only a strong earthquake but also one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded. But at the same time, how we were able to recover as a nation definitely makes up for all the bad luck. It just goes to show how our being resilient makes us more equipped and prepared to face anything that may come our way. There is no question that we Filipinos should bring this trait with us into 2014 and the years after that.

Another strong blow to the Filipino people last year was the PDAF scam. The general sentiments of the people toward the government in recent years have been suspicious at best, and last year were once again disappointed by the very people we needed to rely on. But throughout all the trials and investigations, it is remarkable how Filipinos still believe that the truth will prevail. Having this sense of righteousness would be an even better 2014 resolution than striving at the gym to lose all those Christmas pounds.

These are just some concrete suggestions for any Filipino’s 2014 resolutions. After everything that we have been through the past year, the promises that we make at the beginning of the new year should not all be self-absorbed and narcissistic.

Sure, going on a diet can let you fit into that dress you’ve been eyeing on for months but wouldn’t it be better to make a promise that actually benefits an entire community?

So before broadcasting it over Twitter and Facebook, you should rethink these yearly promises and reflect on whether or not it defeats the purpose of having New Year resolutions.