Ok, it's one year later and it's time to look back on the resolutions you made last year. How did you do? Some of you succeeded and congratulations to those that did. The majority of us did not succeed and probably will not succeed next year either. So, why do we bother making these promises to ourselves year after year with little chance of success?
New Years Resolutions show that people yearn for a fresh start. This is their opportunity for a clean slate and a chance to try again. In theory, it is a great idea. But when you make resolutions because you think you should, they probably will not turn out.
Why? Because you are not choosing your resolutions, your resolutions are choosing you. You are making them because you think you should make them. Thus, you take the power out of your resolutions when you make them for any reason than because you want to.
Just think about it. If your spouse thinks you are overweight and you think you SHOULD do something about it, then your resolution to lose weight will not work. (You may not be ready.) If you hate your job and you think you SHOULD leave, you will not find another position until you want to in your heart. (No matter how much you complain.) If you think you SHOULD get along better with your siblings or your boss, this will not happen unless you want to have the conversations necessary to have a different outcome. (Sometimes we want things but not so badly that we have to do something about them.) It's challenging to make changes in our lives, and it takes something from within to make them stick.
This year, choose your resolutions because you WANT TO; not because you SHOULD. "I want to will carry you through the hard times when it seems like your resolutions might not come true. It will also give you the strength to make your resolutions a reality. "I Want To" is the key to your success.
Here's Seven Things To Give This Year Because You Want To, Not Because You Have To.
1. Your Time.
How many of you are too busy with your own lives to give your time to others? Being busy is an excuse and a reason not to go out of your way. People need you and love you. Make the time.
2. Your Support.
How many of you support the people you in your life? What I mean by support is encouragement to try something new. Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for them. And, just because it didn't work for them in the past, doesn't mean that it won't work in the future. There's nothing better than telling a person that they can do whatever they want in this world. And this time, please mean it.
3. Your Acceptance
This may be a toughie for some of you. This means unconditional love and the ability to acknowledge someone for who they are and not what you want them to be. It means giving up how you think their life should go, and accepting what they want to do with their lives. It means getting out of the way so they can fulfill their dreams.
4. Your Attention.
How many of you really listen? For everyone who just said, "of course I do", then why are the people in your life asking you to repeat what they just said? It's because they know you didn't hear them. Take a few minutes, stop what you are doing, and focus in on the people you love. Aren't they worth it? And who knows, you may even learn something you thought you already knew.
5. Your Forgiveness.
Forgive people for past mistakes and hurts. After all, they are only human. (We miss this sometimes!) Plus, have you’ve been the model human being? This really is one of the greatest gifts you can give another person. And, they’ll never forget you for it either!
6. Your Patience.
How many of you can't even be with the people you love because they are taking too long to tell a story or longer than "you think" to complete a project. How do you know there isn't a better way to do something? Does it always have to be done your way? Having patience with people shows them that they are respected and loved. Isn’t this a better way to have a relationship?
7. Your Love.
People want to know they are special in your life and you care about them. If there are conversations you need to have so you are not angry with them anymore, but you are afraid, my advice is to have them anyway. Sometimes you have to take a risk to achieve an open and rewarding relationship. Take the risk and give your love.
So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love.
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