An alternative new year’s resolution
Have you made any new year’s resolutions this year?
It’s been a long time since I have, but I know that many people still embrace the start of a new year and how it offers the possibility of starting afresh. All I remember of my old resolutions is how easy it is to slide back into those old habits and ways, and end up right back where we started, with a little side measure of self-loathing for “failing” again to keep our resolutions.
Why do we do it? Why do we make resolutions we know we will never keep?
Perhaps the reason we stumble and fall short of the ideals to which we aspire, is often because we make the wrong resolutions, resolutions focussed on what we don’t like about ourselves. Instead, why not think about bringing alive something in you that wants to express itself?
Start this new year by identifying something deep inside your soul that you want to nurture in 2012. Think about what would be different about your life, if this aspect of your being was encouraged to come alive.
I have been reading of many in the blogosphere who have changed their framework of viewing resolutions and chosen three words to be their guide for what they intend to focus on in the coming year.
The Feisty Blue Gecko has a lovely post on her three words – resilience, escapade and wonder. Her choice of resilience really jumped out at me, as I realise that this is something I need to work on very much myself in the coming year, as I try to build myself back up physically and emotionally from the stresses of the past year. As for the other two words, well I am still working on those, though gratitude is a strong contender.
What three words would you choose to guide you in the coming year? Why not share it with us here and let us encourage each other in our hopes and dreams for a new year.
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What a very nice idea
Simplicity, presence, gratitude are my three words Marie
I love this idea – off now to think of my own three words
Resilience is a great choice and one that can be learned and practised – also something I need to work on
Love, love, love this alternative to traditional new year’s resolutions
Enjoy your writing. I’m going to have to think about those three words for me.
Marie, this word selection exercise is tops. After reading Feisty Blue Gecko’s post I wrote my own post on Nov. 13 (http://janhasak.com/blog/?p=988), choosing laughter, spunk and friends as my three words for the coming year. Spunk is the focus and highlight of my quest for a new life. My goal? to find out who is “the real Jan” in 2012. I’ve never had my own identity, my own opinion, my own life. And now I’ve the opportunity to start afresh as I navigate new waters.
Resilience is a wonderful word for your focus in 2012. Can’t wait for your other words to come out. I know they will be deep and lasting.
Much love for the New Year,
Jan
And I can’t wait to see the new spunky Jan emerge in the coming year!
Peace. Gratitude. Exercise!
Beautiful..although exercise does have a touch of the old new year’s resolution about it Renn
Marie, you are so right! Upon further thinking (requiring some coffee), I have a new word: clarity! Thanks for giving me an opportunity to rethink that. xoxo
love it
Resilience was one of mine (ok, I loved Philippa’s choice so much, I just had to claim it as well!). Also rejuvenation and serenity. Happy New Year!
Love these choices Dr Attai and yes, I am stealing resilience too for myself this year!
I loved your own post on this Dr Attai and your choice of words.
http://drattai.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/my-3-words/
Just keep living. Those are my words.
Did you know that the word resolution is from the Latin resolutio, or resolvere meaning “to loosen or dissolve again,” (re- + solvere) which was the original meaning of resolve.
I am following the example of Cheryl Richardson this year and adopting a quote from Louise Hay’s daily calendar.
“I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.”
Doesn’t it sound like the perfect guiding principle for a New Year?
I love this Denyse!
Persistence, persistence, persistence! Persistence breaks through resistance and is the key to success. As Winston Churchill said in 1941, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never–in nothing, great or small, large or petty-never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”
This is such a great idea. I think I’m going to do a post on this next too. still thinking about my words. I do tend to over-analyze!
I like the way you put it, “identifying something deep inside your soul that you want to nurture in 2012.” Thank you, Marie and FBG! And Happy New Year!
Thank you for your kind words Marie – and I am delighted that this resonates. As you say, it is because we search within ourselves rather than set unrealistic goals which we would struggle to meet and then feel that we have failed.
I am so delighted that we can share words – resilience seems to strike a chord. We should declare 2012 Year of Resilience perhaps
Wishing you good things for the coming year, Marie, and holding your friendship closely, with the friendship of all blogesses I have met and connected with through JBBC.
P
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The Year of Resilience! What a wonderful idea Phillipa. Certainly we should make it our mission to blog about it in 2012 – we can encourage each other in its practice – deal?
Mine are Create, Nurture and Appreciate. Thank you Marie (and Philippa!) for this great idea.
I love your choices Jackie..esp create..that’s one that really appeals to me too.
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My three words: MUST STAY ALIVE!
This encompasses all of my old, “failed” resolutions of days gone by:
-eat healthier
-exercise more
-drink less, etc.
BUT this year I am pretty sure I can do it because I am being chased by a bear…..my anology for trying to out run cancer.
Cancer Warrior
http://www.perksofcancer.com
Wonderful comment Florence!
Gratitude and Choice have become part of my life now so I don’t feel a need to make them my words for the New Year, that is a good thing, cause there are so many great words out there and choosing 3 can be hard. I have come up with 2 so far, FUN – pure simple fun involving laughing, giggling, silliness and OPEN – being open to all the possibilities that are out there. Both of these words involve letting go, so I guess that might be my theme for 2012. Much love to you are you start the New Year, and everyday along the way.
Debbie
When I hear the words choice and gratitude,I always think of you!
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