It’s not surprising that at this time of year various organizations would use the internet to address New Years’ resolutions. Their appeals run from friendly advice to selling programs and products.

And not surprisingly, two of the top resolutions each year involve losing weight and quitting smoking. Ironically, when some folks quit smoking, they gain weight.

This morning my e-mail was chock full of this stuff.

I don’t smoke, but like most Americans I am fighting the “battle of the bulge.”

But, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. By that, I mean I don’t put signs on the refrigerator door or announce to everyone that there’s a new me coming out on January. 1. I’m not certain how New Years’ resolutions first came about nor do I know who first drew one of those little graphics proclaiming “Killroy was here.” I don’t see January 1 being any more effective for resolutions than are March 12 or August 17. My theory is that life is somewhat of a circle so anywhere you start is the front of the line. By the way, if only two people are lined up and the second person turns around and faces the other way, who’s actually at the head of the line?

Now the e-mail on smoking says that smoking is a learned behavior. I’ve actually heard this expression: “I learned to smoke when I was a teenager.”

What’s to learn? You stick a cigarette in your mouth, light it and inhale. If you’re going to run for political office and your cigarette smells funny — be careful with that inhaling part. It might make you a Democrat.

Maybe the “learning” thing is all about feelings. Seldom do I hear anyone say, “Yea, I began this nasty, health damaging habit when I was a senior in high school.” And never did I hear in a restaurant: “Carcinogen or non-carcinogen?” Indeed there is power in words.

Now about that weight thing. One of my e-mails was advice on how to address cravings.

For some reason, I’ve never craved sweets. But I have craved country-fried steak, mash potatoes and gravy. Bread, meat and potatoes have a hold on me. They are my “Achilles heel.” Or I guess if I would be blunt, they are my 38-inch waist. My heel is actually normal size.

I will never overcome such cravings but I am learning to modify them. I’ve learned that you can order just one hamburger.

This is all my own rationalization, though. I’m not paying anyone to show me this. I’m embracing the Biblical notion of “seek and ye shall find.” And I am not involving yoga. But I have learned that if you stand on your head, it will cure hiccups.

I will offer this free advice to people making resolutions: Don’t overload yourself. Pick one or two.

Certainly there are professionals out there who can direct you to new lifestyles, but unless you really desire to do something, saying it and paying it won’t make it so. Any information you can order for a price is probably available free at the local library.

In the movie “Good Will Hunting,” Will (a street urchin who also was self taught) chastised a Harvard preppie, basically saying that he was spending a lot of his daddy’s money to gain information that was no more valid than if he obtained it free from the public library. Something to think about.

Now while I questioned that smoking is a learned behavior, dipping snuff is definitely a learned behavior — a bit more complex than a Lucky Strike. When I was 10, I slipped a can of grandpa’s Honey Bee. I didn’t know about putting a pinch between my cheek and gum. I put half the can in my mouth, tried to chew it up and swallowed most of it. That’s when I learned about the expression “dry heaves.” I also learned that being on your hands and knees will not keep the world from spinning. It will, however, make you think of another Biblical notation — “the meek shall inherit the earth.”