“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” —Ellen Goodman
New Year’s resolutions tend to be lists of new or re-newed efforts to improve the perceived flaws in ourselves and our lives. You know that intentions work best when they are positively stated. Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a year of positive intentions to make the most of who we are and what we want (not should) to do.
Instead of resolving to loose weight – how about a goal of having more energy to be able to dance, hike, keep up with your kids/grandkids. To do those enjoyable activities you know you need to exercise regularly for more stamina and eat healthy to maintain a healthy body. Do you have a place for exercise? Hint: your stationary bicycle is not meant to be a clothes rack. Declutter your kitchen. Get rid or those tempting fattening foods (Give them to a local food pantry.) Make room for the healthy foods that make you feel good. Isn’t that much better than the mind set of deprivation for the goal of seeing a lower number on your scale?
Instead of a goal of reading all the books you got in the last year. Declutter your bookshelves. Let go of the books you feel obligated to read because they were a gift, will improve you as a human being or are supposed to improve your work skills/knowledge. Reading is a pleasure, not a duty. Now you can focus on the books you want to read.
Is your hobby or craft space cluttered with projects you are no longer interested in? Instead of gritting your teeth and getting it done, or not doing it and feeling guilty Donate it to a charity. Make the space support what you are interested in now.
Make room for what you want to do. Make room for your potential in your thinking and in your home.
Best wishes for your potential, for growth and fun in the new year.
picture by Kevin Dooley