And at the stroke of midnight
..a new year began! The stress and/or difficulties of the last year seemingly gone only to be replaced by hope, optimisim, and a clean slate of the new year.
If only it were that simple.
Though 2008 was a great year for me, some of the worries and woes that I experienced will certainly carry over to the next. The new year brings with it hope and a sense of renewal, giving ourselves permission to wipe the slate clean and open our thoughts and minds as to how to deal with these conflicts in our life.
I think that the purpose of a resolution is sometimes NOT to follow through on them, but to examine our lives, discover what is holding us back and bring those areas of great angst to the forefront. Acknowledge them, focus on them and work on them so that they no longer become these great issues ever present in our lives.
I asked on my blog survey whether anyone makes new years resolutions. I always do, though I seldom keep them.
I have a very good friend who is resolving to "bring more joy" to her life. How wonderful!! I'm so excited for her (!) and get to watch her journey as she brings closure to some issues in her life in order to leave her heart "open" for what may be in store for her next. I like the way she is doing it too. Nothing so specific that it causes her stress.
Another friend is on a weight-loss journey and "vows never to eat sweets again".
Still another friend is "going to hit the gym" every day for the next 365 days.
Sometimes the new years resolutions get so detailed - they almost become a stress in of themselves. Who needs more stress???!!!
No, I believe we need broad brush strokes in our resolutions. Resolutions that bring us joy rather than stress. Be creative with the conflicts in your life and create "FUN" solutions to the problem.
Example:
1) I vow "never to eat sweets again!" becomes 1a) "I vow to eat only as many hershey kisses as I can while tieing the laces on my gym sneakers!"
2) "I vow to hit the gym every day for the next 365 days." becomes 2b) "I vow to shake my booty like Beyonce at least once per day!"
3). "I'm going to do yoga every day" becomes 3c) "I'm going to spread my branches in tree pose when I'm doing dishes in the evening."
See?? Much more attainable goals.
For my self, I started out with grand scheme of "I'm going to get organized and clean one room a month - from top to bottom - and decrease the clutter in my life." Crap! Talk about stress! ~LOL~
I think a much better goal is this: "I will enjoy the clutter in my life. When something ceases to bring me pleasure, I will donate it to charity with a happy heart." No pressure!
Yes, I think I have this new year resolution thing down now! Acknowledge the things in your lift that bring you angst, but don't put more stress on yourself by trying to solve them in one day or week. Be creative in the resolution and most importantly - have fun!
Hmmm, I wonder if I should call the New York Times and let them in on my epiphany?! ~grin~
Happy New Year everyone!
If only it were that simple.
Though 2008 was a great year for me, some of the worries and woes that I experienced will certainly carry over to the next. The new year brings with it hope and a sense of renewal, giving ourselves permission to wipe the slate clean and open our thoughts and minds as to how to deal with these conflicts in our life.
I think that the purpose of a resolution is sometimes NOT to follow through on them, but to examine our lives, discover what is holding us back and bring those areas of great angst to the forefront. Acknowledge them, focus on them and work on them so that they no longer become these great issues ever present in our lives.
I asked on my blog survey whether anyone makes new years resolutions. I always do, though I seldom keep them.
I have a very good friend who is resolving to "bring more joy" to her life. How wonderful!! I'm so excited for her (!) and get to watch her journey as she brings closure to some issues in her life in order to leave her heart "open" for what may be in store for her next. I like the way she is doing it too. Nothing so specific that it causes her stress.
Another friend is on a weight-loss journey and "vows never to eat sweets again".
Still another friend is "going to hit the gym" every day for the next 365 days.
Sometimes the new years resolutions get so detailed - they almost become a stress in of themselves. Who needs more stress???!!!
No, I believe we need broad brush strokes in our resolutions. Resolutions that bring us joy rather than stress. Be creative with the conflicts in your life and create "FUN" solutions to the problem.
Example:
1) I vow "never to eat sweets again!" becomes 1a) "I vow to eat only as many hershey kisses as I can while tieing the laces on my gym sneakers!"
2) "I vow to hit the gym every day for the next 365 days." becomes 2b) "I vow to shake my booty like Beyonce at least once per day!"
3). "I'm going to do yoga every day" becomes 3c) "I'm going to spread my branches in tree pose when I'm doing dishes in the evening."
See?? Much more attainable goals.
For my self, I started out with grand scheme of "I'm going to get organized and clean one room a month - from top to bottom - and decrease the clutter in my life." Crap! Talk about stress! ~LOL~
I think a much better goal is this: "I will enjoy the clutter in my life. When something ceases to bring me pleasure, I will donate it to charity with a happy heart." No pressure!
Yes, I think I have this new year resolution thing down now! Acknowledge the things in your lift that bring you angst, but don't put more stress on yourself by trying to solve them in one day or week. Be creative in the resolution and most importantly - have fun!
Hmmm, I wonder if I should call the New York Times and let them in on my epiphany?! ~grin~
Happy New Year everyone!
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