NEW YEARS'S RESOLUTIONS WORTH KEEPING

 I guess any good New Year's Resolution is worth keeping.   

But the question is will we?

Year after year many people make New Year's Resolutions they do not keep.  So what exactly is the problem?  And what exactly is the point?

Does making a resolution make us feel better about another year having passed without accomplishing things we wished we had?  If so, does guilt then make us repeatedly do the ritual of resolutions?

Guilt is a wasted emotion, left by itself to accomplish nothing but self wallowing.  However, if it does propel us forward to do things better, then it has served its purpose and we should then let it go.  Statistically most New Year's Resolutions never come to fruition even if born out of guilt. 

So how do we succeed at our New Year's Resolutions?

First, I think it is important to focus less on the final outcome of our New Year's Resolution and to focus more on the steps towards it.

For example, don't think so much about losing 10 pounds but think more about the various steps you will take to achieve your resolution.

Secondly, it is important to be realistic in your strategy to achieve your New Year's Resolution.

Continuing on the Weight Loss theme....By this I mean, don't think that you will succeed at losing those 10 pounds by suddenly making yourself exercise for 3 hours every day and never eating any food you crave again.  Realistic goals, however, are achievable with focus and discipline.

So what does all this have to do with Gratitude?

Let me think.

Just kidding.

I'm grateful that the goodness in each of us makes us want to do better as we start a New Year!

Give Thanks! (and Happy New Year)