New Year's Resolutions

The definition of a “resolution” can be quite in depth. For most people’s purposes, they are simple or major changes, or goals, we have to do at the end of every year in which something good should be the result. To many of us, that might include lose weight, stop smoking, eat better, exercise more, etc. There are those too, who decide that perhaps they need to better themselves in other ways. For example, there are some who feel they need to call mom more, spend more time helping make money for charity, learn to play chess, learn to speak french etc. Consequently, resolutions vary.

The common thread for all resolutions is that they are typically broken, and usually within a very short amount of time. Oh sure, we decided that diet was a must, and that we finally felt ready to tackle that extra 25 pounds, but by the end of January (if we make it that far), the diet was cast aside. Poof, the resolution to shed those pounds all gone. So are resolutions just rituals?

For most of us, the answer is yes. For others, it truly is a way of taking a good hard look at ourselves and deciding changes have to be made. Whether it is to make a change for the good of our health, or the good of others, resolutions are made. Making them is the easy part. But perhaps it is all about the wording?

I used to make resolutions, but after many failures, I decided one year to only make goals. Yes, it’s the same damn thing, but the word “goal" is less threatening to me. In the end it worked. I also decided that my goals had to be more realistic. Making the goal to parachute out of a plane was not realistic. I am afraid of heights. In previous years, I had goals of learning more about cheeses, making my own pasta, making sushi, and all goals were met head on and completed! I once even had the goal of learning more about the various martinis and how to make them. NOW that was a resolution worth keeping!

This year my goals are simple again, and realistic.

*Finish my Masters in Nursing Education degree!
*Do some traveling (perhaps a cruise?)
*Learn and speak more Spanish (it is inevitable)

I’m no expert on making and keeping resolutions or goals, but I do know that once you have decided you are ready to make that New Year's resolution and stick to it, you need to develop a plan of action and make that plan a priority. One of the most important secrets to keeping those New Year's resolutions is to take the process of change one day at a time. And it's OK to make big changes through taking small steps. If you can do just a little bit to get going, soon you'll feel the positive effects of the change. And that little bit of change can lead to long-term healthy habits that last far beyond New Year's Day.

Happy and Healthy New Year!

"New Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's why,
as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that
introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making
resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves!"

- Gary Ryan Blair