by Caleb Jones | cjones@amec.coop
New Year’s resolutions come around like clockwork. Every year, folks decide they’re going to make big changes: eat healthier, exercise more or finally tackle that overflowing garage. But if you’ve been around long enough, you know what usually happens. By Valentine’s Day, those resolutions are little more than a fond memory.
Oddly enough, one resolution I’ve yet to hear is a commitment to not change. It seems we’re so busy looking for what’s broken that we forget some things are just perfect the way they are now.
Take one of my favorite restaurants, Murry’s, as an example. My wife and I still make it a point to go there regularly. I’ve been a fan ever since I could scrape together enough money during college to treat myself to a real meal. The steak sandwich is legendary – just a slice of French bread and a steak so good that most places would charge you double. And don’t get me started on the fried green pepper rings or frog legs. I’ve tried to find something bad on their menu, but it’s a losing battle.
A few years back, my friend Mark bought Murry’s from the original owners. I was nervous. Would he turn it into one of those fancy places where you need reservations a month in advance? Would my beloved steak sandwich get replaced by some kind of kale-infused tofu dish? Thankfully, Mark kept everything just the way it was. Same great food. Same great service.
Mark understood that when something ain’t broken, it doesn’t need fixing.
Lately, as I’ve been hearing about all the new trends in the electric industry, I can’t help but think about that valuable lesson. Solar panels, wind turbines and other technologies are the shiny new “resolutions” making the rounds in the energy sector.
Don’t get me wrong – your electric cooperative is always looking at new ways to serve you better. The technology on display at your cooperative is simply mind-boggling. But amidst all this excitement about innovation, electric cooperatives have not lost sight of what matters most: keeping the lights on for you and your family.
And here’s the thing about solar panels and wind turbines: they work great when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. But what about when the weather is calm and cloudy? That’s when you realize the value of a system that’s reliable 24/7. Your cooperative’s leaders understand this. Reliable, affordable electricity isn’t just a resolution that we can forget by spring – it’s an ongoing promise to you.
So, as we ring in 2025, let’s remember that not everything needs a fresh coat of paint. Some things, like a Murry’s steak sandwich or your co-op’s commitment to reliable and affordable electricity, are perfect just the way they are.
This year, maybe the best resolution we can make is to appreciate what already works. Here’s to an exciting and reliable 2025.
Caleb Jones is the executive vice president and CEO of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He is a member of Boone Electric Cooperative.