Every year, and even sometimes throughout the year, we promise to make those changes in our lives that we think we need or that are good for us. Self improvement is a good thing. Resolutions are a good thing. When we look at ourselves honestly and find places to improve, we allow ourselves to grow and open up new opportunities. Too often, though, we get caught in the moment and make promises to ourselves and others that we really arent ready or able to keep. Its not always the right time for certain changes. We arent always ready for the next corner and perhaps we arent meant to get there quite yet. Last year, I made several resolutions. I was going to make more friends, move on with my life, quit smoking, and lose that extra 10 (or is it 20?) pounds. On the surface, I kept none of those resolutions. I dont have many more friends, I dont have a new, exciting life, I didnt quit smoking, and I weigh about the same as this time last year. But little is fully visible on the surface. I wasnt ready to take on all those things and it wasnt my time yet to achieve them. I didnt fail. If I really look at the past year, I find many, many ways in which I moved myself in the direction of my resolutions. I detached more from my old life, embraced more my new one, and took on a few small things that belong to me. I didnt meet a new lifetime friend, but I made some new acquaintances and built a wonderful friendship with my children and my mother. I didnt quit smoking, but I actually hate smoking for the first time in my life. I no longer see it as an escape and that brings me closer to a healthier lifestyle. And I didnt lose that extra 10 (or is it 20?) pounds. I did maintain my weight and I have moved away from emotional eating. And most days, I feel pretty beautiful. So you see, I didnt keep any my resolutions from last year. Instead, I listened to myself. I worked through things one day at a time. And as a result, I have grown something in me that will last a lifetime. Ill meet all those resolutions and new ones to come in time. This year, give those resolutions some honest thought. Give yourself time to change. Know yourself and what you want first. Youll get there. It may just not be as fast as you promised. |
