New Year's Resolutions: The One NOT To Break!

I’m not big on making New Year’s resolutions. It just makes me feel badly about myself when I break them and, inevitably, I do.

But, as I look back over this particular year, I can’t help but feel sad for all the people who lost jobs, homes, money, and, in many instances, their loved ones.

We tend to take so much of our lives for granted. We love our “things,” and don’t even think about their transient nature. Things, of course, can be replaced. Family and friends, on the other hand, cannot. Each day with a loved one is a precious gift that can never be repeated.

I truly value all the people in my life, including my new friends, like you. Each person touches our lives in a unique way, and helps us define who we are or who we hope to become.

Do you believe we are our brother’s keeper? Do you know how your neighbors fared this year? Here are some stories from my neighborhood.

A woman was fired the week before Christmas, after 25 years of dedicated service. A Viet Nam vet broke his hip on Christmas Eve, and crawled to his phone to call 911. He lives alone. A family refinanced their house, for the third time, so their twenty-something daughter could give trade school yet another try. An elderly couple refuses to move into an assisted living facility because they’re too independent (or stubborn) to admit they need help.

These are all heart-breaking stories. I know you have your own to share. Human beings are more similar than we are different. We weep when we lose a beloved pet. We empathize with a dear friend who loses a breast to cancer. We feel guilty for feeling thankful the disease did not strike us. We bleed the same red blood when we cut ourselves.

Take time to reflect on this past year, as well as on your life, thus far. Are you living the life you intended for yourself when you were a child? Are you living with a person who honors and respects you? Are you addicted to your significant other, or is it “true love?” Have you lived up to your own expectations? Are you proud of yourself, or do you feel shame and insecurity?

Once you’ve analyzed your situation, move forward with your life. If you’ve not fulfilled your goals or are not the person you know you should be, take note. On Friday, all things begin anew. You get another chance to live the life you were meant to live.

Forget the past. It has no power over you, other than that which you give it. Begin and end each day with hope, dreams, and the knowledge that all things are possible. Get out of your own way.

The one New Year’s resolution we should not, must not, ever break is…the promise to love ourselves unconditionally. This means forgiveness for all past transgressions. Allow yourself to learn from your flaws. Own your mistakes, big or small, then resolve to maintain a healthy and positive outlook from that moment on. Stop “beating yourself up,” and don’t allow anyone else to.

Friday is your “rebirth” day. The slate is clean. Only when you truly love and accept yourself, will you be able to love and be loved in return…for all the right reasons.

Feel free to share your New Year’s resolutions with us. What is the one resolution you will never, ever break?

Happy New Year!