 “The mere resolve not to be useless, and the honest desire to help other people, will, in the quickest and delicatest ways, improve yourself." ~ John Ruskin
The beginning of a New Year is the traditional time to make resolutions. A resolution is a formal expression of intent to change. It declares your resolve and determination to be different. A New Year is a new start and can be a good time to make a self-assessment. What would you like to change? How would you like to be different in the coming year? No matter what you decide, there is a problem. New Year resolutions are notorious for failure. We often fall short of the goals we set. Is there a strategy that you could use to help you make resolutions that you will keep? Recently, in healthcare much discussion has taken place about the three areas of mind, body, and spirit that make up the essentials of our life experience. A good plan for the New Year is to make one resolution for each of these areas. Give careful consideration to what you can change about how you are taking care of your mind, of your body, and of your spiritual needs. * For example, in regard to the mind do you need a change of attitude? Could you become more open and less judgmental? Maybe you need learn something new. Perhaps you could read more challenging books or attend a weekend seminar. Check out what local colleges have to offer. Take a technical course, and learn to fix your computer or repair your car. Challenge your mind in the coming year, and your horizons will expand. * For the body, do you need more exercise so you can increase your strength and flexibility? How about choosing a healthier diet? Maybe you need to slow down and relax and could learn meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi. Consider giving up a habit, like smoking, that you know is bad for you. Challenge your body in the New Year, and it will reward you with improved health. * How about your spirit? Has it been neglected? Is it drying up? How can you replenish it? Simply acknowledging your spirit by appreciating the beauty of a sunset may be enough. Why not get out into nature more often. Take long, slow walks. Find a labyrinth and walk it. Read inspiring literature and sacred texts. Talk meaningfully to another person. Go to a church, synagogue, or mosque. Sing in a choir. Seek your spirit, and it will find you, and your life will be enriched. Consider making resolutions for the New Year as commitments to change something in the areas of the mind, body, and spirit. With only three areas on which to focus, your chances of successfully fulfilling your resolutions should improve. Related ItemsDVD:Achieve Your Dreams Live a Successful Life Midlife Meaning Intuition and Wisdom Dr. Dan Johnston is affiliated with Mercer Health Systems in Macon, Georgia and is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science for Mercer University School of Medicine. He is author of Lessons for Living: Simple Solutions for Life’s Problems from Dagali Press and creator of Awakenings Web Site (www.lessonsforliving.com)
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