Recently a friend asked me if I had made my New Year’s resolutions. As I thought about his question and what it means to make resolutions; the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter or a firm decision to do or not to do something;my opinion on making resolutions changed. In the past I really didn’t like making resolutions because I wasn’t always good at keeping them. I consider myself a disciplined and goal-oriented person, but what I realized is usually the things I made “resolutions” about were not high on my priority list and they felt more like obligations than choices. I wasn’t serious about them from the jump. I realize now I must make a shift in my thinking.
As I dissect the meaning of a resolution, especially the part referring to anaction of solving a problem, I realized that I do have a problem because historically I always viewed resolutions in a negative light. I now understand that I must reset, recalibrate and be mindful of the resolutions that I make and how they are good for me. Perhaps, in the past, I have been in denial because I felt defeated before I even got started. As I’ve gotten older, the main area where I feel the most challenged is with my discipline around health and exercise. But I know that eating a steady healthy diet (allowing opportunities to treat yourself from time to time), along with some level of consistent exercise is critical to an overall healthy life.
January is a good time to stop, reset and recalibrate. We must be willing to calibrate something again or differently when necessary. As I walk into my Season of Greatness, I’ve realized that means all aspects of my life. I feel like I’ve done a good job in various areas and I work hard to do a good job and accomplish my goals and live out my purpose; however, to really be my best, I must be willing to go deep into the areas in which I fear or feel challenged. Therefore, once again, I will make a promise (resolution) to myself to make my health and wellbeing a priority in 2019. Will you join me?
My church is currently undergoing a 21 day fast. During this fast we are being asked not only to pray, but also to pay attention to the food we eat, increase our focus, let go of fear and return to the fundamentals. I believe this is the perfect time for me to jumpstart watching what I put into my mouth and how I move my body. Afterall, if I can accomplish all the other things I set out to do, but don’t take care of myself, what good is it? We are living longer lives and it is important for us to get a handle on our health sooner than later, especially if there are health issues that exist in our families.
You don’t have to be a Christian or even follow any particular faith to practice the art of fasting. There are different types of fasting, but basically fasting is where we consciously give up something for a period of time. As we give ourselves over to the fast, oftentimes the things we give up (and it doesn’t even have to be just food), we come to realize we probably didn’t need it anyway, especially if it gets in the way of us becoming our best selves. I am not advocating for total denial, but I am saying that we can all probably do a little better job of living our lives in moderation when we focus on what is really important. As they say, you will either pay now or pay later. I think I want to pay while I have the health and energy to put in the work.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyEnterprises.comand www.forgivingforliving.org. Wendy is an international coach, consultant and speaker. You may email her at [email protected].
