That time of year rolls around once again when we’re supposed to make resolutions about how we are going to change this year. I have one question to ask you: Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution that has worked – as in something you have managed to do for an entire year and beyond? Kudos to you if you have managed this amazing feat, but for most mortals, resolutions do not work. This is not to say that we can’t dramatically change when we put our minds to it, but I don’t think making a resolution is the most powerful agent of change.
A resolution implies that I WILL do something in the future: I WILL drink a green juice every morning, I WILL meditate twice a day, I WON’T drink anymore coffee/alcohol/diet cokes etc. But, as soon as we put something into the future, it STAYS in the future. It somehow eludes us… well, this week it wasn’t possible because (and the reasons/justifications pour in,) so I’ll start it tomorrow.
Here’s the magical key ladies and gents: Make an AFFIRMATION instead, and made it in the PRESENT TENSE (the secret is to also make it positive, rather than negative). Imagine you are speaking to a small child – you would never say, “You are going to start dieting from tomorrow onwards, or you are going to start doing 2 hours of homework everyday starting January 1st”. It would be way more constructive to say: “You are so smart, and you feel good because you are trying so hard at school.” When I talk to my daughter like this, instead of admonishing her, it works like a charm – her little shoulders fall, and she feels empowered to do what she finds really hard.
So, if there’s anything you want to change about yourself, begin it NOW, and start with a positive affirmation. Here’s a few of mine for today:
“I meditate daily because it makes me feel AMAZING”
“I exercise daily because I love feeling strong and alive.”
“I love to take my couch-potato Maltese, Phoebe, out walking everyday because although it doesn’t seem like it, she really LOVES to exercise!!!!!!”
Wishing you all a joyous and prosperous New year, and please remember to subscribe to my weekly dose of Goodness, so that I can stay connected with you all.
