Wow, a new year already! It seems like every year goes by faster than the last one, and for our part, we're still trying to get used to writing "2011" instead of "2010".
This past year has seen a lot of changes here at EPSS. We've rolled out old products and brought in more, better, new ones. We've redesigned everything from our store's product categorization system to our site's page layouts, to make it easier for you to find what you're looking for. We've added exciting new features to the store, we've added wonderful new members to our ever-growing EPSS team, and we've learned a lot about you -- our customers, visitors, and friends.
And as we all move forward together into 2011, we're not only looking back at what we've learned and how far we've come, but we're also looking forward to the future. As we roll the calendar over, we all have the opportunity to make a fresh, bright start on a new year.
So what are your New Year's Resolutions for 2011?
If you're like us, your New Year's resolutions and goals probably involve making changes for the positive: practicing better moderation in all things, exerting more of the willpower necessary to make better choices each day, and setting goals to help us improve our lives. Maybe you're resolving to take more time for yourself, to eat better, get more exercize, or to spend more time with your loved ones. Or maybe your resolution is to work harder, or to get more sleep, or get back to school, or to stop drinking coffee after 6 P.M. (Our webmaster, for example, is struggling with this last one in particular.)
We all have different resolutions to set, and unique opportunities to make 2011 better than 2010 was. But if my guess is correct, most of our resolutions all boil down to one thing: taking better care of ourselves, so that we can live better, happier, more fulfilling lives.
Maybe we won't live up to all our resolutions for the new year. (Our webmaster's coffee habit has yet to show any signs of improvement...) But there's one resolution you can make for 2011 that's quick, easy, and can actually last all year: taking better care of your hearing.
We literally cannot count the number of messages and emails we get from people telling us how a simple pair of snoring earplugs or baby earmuffs have actually changed their lives. Every year, we come to realize more and more just how vital a part of all of our lives sound is -- whether it's hearing a song that brings back good old memories, enjoying the sound and freedom of the wind on the open road, relaxing to the soothing patter of rain during a spring shower, or hearing the calming voice of a loved one. What we hear is just as important as what we see; sound is an ever-present (and oft-overlooked) feature of our habitat, our homes, and our lives. Sound can be precious, comforting, moving, or inspiring -- but it can also be irritating, destructive, sleep-depriving, stressful, or flat-out dangerous noise. No one knows this better than those who sleep with a snoring spouse, or live near the train tracks, or worst of all, those who have suffered from hearing loss, tinnitus, and other serious hearing problems. Sound affects our lives profoundly, for better or for worse.
But if we have one piece of advice to offer this year, let it be this: YOU have the power to be the master of the sounds in your life. No matter where you live, what kind of dangerous noises you have to protect yourself or your children from, or what kind of ambient noises make up your auditory habitat (from traffic to tree frogs), you can find the tools you need to conquer noise, and make the soundtrack to the movie of your life one worth listening to.
So this year, when you're making those New Year's resolutions to take better care of yourself, resolve to remember to take care of your hearing, too. Try some white noise to block out snoring and resolve to actually get the sleep you need (and lower your stress levels!), or grab some radio earmuffs to make that lawnwork you've resolved to keep up with a little more fun (and less dangerous to your hearing). Pick up a pair of earplugs to help to concentrate or study better, so your resolutions to succeed in work or school are a little easier to carry through with. Or, even better, get some earmuffs for your babies and children, and resolve to help protect the little ears in your life this year -- and for many years to come.
It's a brave new year. From all of us at EPSS, we wish you the very best for 2011, and the best of luck with your New Year's resolutions, whatever they may be.
And please, whether you're making New Year's resolutions or not, take care of yourself -- and your ears.
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
--Happy New Year from Tom "Dr. Earplug" Bergman
and all of us at Ear Plug Superstore.
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