Don’t beat yourself up about those New Years Resolutions! They just make us feel bad in the first place.
“All resolutions are imprisonments. You decide today for tomorrow? You have destroyed tomorrow. Allow the tomorrow to have its own being. Let it come in its own way. Let it bring its own gifts.” – Osho
It is said that 80% of us will break our new years resolutions. But what makes us want to make them in the first place? Sure there are many elements of our lives we think we would like to change. We can always improve our fitness, eating habits and be generally healthier but is that really it?
Here are some probing questions to ask yourself. Who are you really trying to impress with your new resolutions? What are your real motives for seeking change? Are you really that unhappy or are you just constantly comparing yourself to others?
Happiness isn’t a destination or something that can be acquired. Notice if you ever find that inner voice saying “I’ll be happy when..”? I’ll be happy when I get the promotion at work. I’ll be happy when I buy that new car. I’ll be happy when I find that perfect someone. And it goes on and on.
We all experience this as human beings but to find real inner peace and calm we need to step outside those thoughts. And thats what they are. Just thoughts. Thoughts that came to us completely involuntarily, without our say or control over them. But what is in our control is our abilty to watch those thoughts. Let them come, acknowledge them without judgement and just let them go again. Sometimes you will actually find yourself smiling at the ridiculousness of some of them. That is when you will know you have reached a state of presence and awareness. And there is no better feeling.
The best gift you can give this year is to give yourself credit for what you do well in our life. Create your ideal space, watch those thoughts come and go and make a list (mentally or written) of the things you are grateful for that day. It will give you a whole new perspective.
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