Even with the best of intentions, invariably life gets in the way and we fail to keep up with our New Year resolutions. What I do instead is think about what I would like to do in the New Year that doesn’t tie me in, but instead gives me another avenue to think about without making it a definite resolution.
This may sound obvious, but sometimes we have to look at where we are emotionally, because without being in a good emotional place, we’re less likely to achieve anything. I also use the first day of a New Year to reflect, because without reflection we will continue to live our lives blindly. It’s easy to unconsciously continue to blame ourselves for the way our lives turn out and that can also hold us back.
Use the New Year to draw a line and replace any bad experiences with new and exciting challenges that change the way we look at our experiences. The idea isn’t to look back and stay in that place. The idea is that we understand our experiences enough so that we can begin to build bridges, from a life that is to a life that can be.
No one is too old to change. With a New Year comes a renewed motivation. With renewed motivation and the right attitude, we will continue to feel encouraged, so that we can at least make a new start to new resolutions. A New Year will always allow us to start over.
Our lives may not have gone the way we plan, that’s life of course, but while we’re still breathing, anyone can change their life and perceptions on their experiences, so that they see the New Year in a whole new light.
I don't make resolutions either. It's just something else to put on my list of things to do.
I just try to improve over the year that has past.
This sounds absolutely right Lisa. We should always try to be and do better. Once we are, I believe things will automatically turn themselves around.
Yes, as long as we're breathing we have a chance to change! I know things can be done differently, but I just have to learn to not dwell in the way I did things in the past!
People so often make a lot of resolutions which are so quickly forgotten. My thoughts have to focus on what things I can change and not so much on what I can't!
Leopards can change their spots is the expression I prefer.
Thanks Randy, yes I prefer that expression too. I believe we can change. I agree with you when you say your thoughts have to focus on the things you can do and not so much on what you can't.
We spend a lifetime focusing on all our negative experiences. In my formative years that's exactly what I used to do. I cared too much. When I stopped caring, I did turn things around.