I no longer like to think of the New Year as a time to set resolutions. The word resolution holds too much pressure for me. In years past, I would be drawn in by the lure of a resolution. It felt good to my black and white, obsessive mind to make a promise that I had to keep from now until, well, forever. Every year I would be energized by the thought of a blank slate of my life (as if that ever existed). I would fantasize about how this year would be different.
Starting now I will exercise three times a week.
Starting now I won’t go to bed any later than 10 pm.
Starting now I will only have one cup of coffee a day.
This just doesn’t work for me. It really never did.
I have learned through years of studying mindfulness, that in order to feel happiness I actually don’t need to achieve anything. This whole concept deserves its own blog post. So, let me leave it at this:
The New Year now means taking stock. I spend time reflecting on where I’ve been and where I’d like to go. In what ways can I edge closer to living in alignment with my values? In what ways can I gently increase my mindfulness? I don’t end up picking concrete actions to hold fast. Instead, I try to become aware of my intentions and then live those mindfully.
Mindfulness has set this obsessive mind of mine on a path towards freedom and true happiness. I am so grateful. Happy New Year!
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