At this time of year, people are often wondering how their
last New Year’s resolutions faded away so quickly. The
fault generally is that we weren’t interested in following
through. This is evidenced by our putting off until New
Year’s Day to start a change of life-style, or whatever it is
that we thought we should do differently.
Since we know that tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our
lives, we should start any changes we honestly want to make when the
decision is made and not wait for New Year’s. Often, more time is spent
on the plan; while the hard part of any journey, the execution, remains
at a stand still. Without beginning our quest, it is impossible to win the
internal battle we are fighting within ourselves when we make our so
called resolutions. Therefore, we must first repent our former transgressions,
and stop feeling sorry for ourselves. With this attitude, there
is no reason to start or stop the activity that we think will aid us on
our quest for happiness.
The younger we are, the more we tend to believe in the power of the
grand undertakings that follow the New Year. As we age, however, we
tend not only to make fewer resolutions, but also to acknowledge that
they probably won’t work, simply due to our many attempts before;
and if you don’t think you can, then I can assure you that you can’t. Our
pledge to healthy eating and exercise seldom lasts long enough to take
hold, as we find excuse after excuse to break the bargain we made with
ourselves.
My personal solution is to no longer wait until New Year’s, or any other
specific time, to begin changes I want in my life. Once I think I want to
change things, I immediately begin to follow through. It normally doesn’t take
long to find out if my resolution is merely wishful thinking.
I’d like to lose weight, but not enough to give up French fries or to
exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week. Although it sounds so easy,
I never do either. Therefore, I’ve stopped making resolutions. Rather, I
have started to direct myself to the changes in my life that are attainable,
because I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to accomplish my goal.
To make this work, you must be specific. Losing weight is not a goal, but
losing ten pounds is.
Some believe that beginning starts with planning. It does not; it begins
by doing. So, don’t start by saying what you are going to do, just do it.
I’m not myself today and everybody has noticed the improvement 51