It has dawned…
“Every story has an end but in life every end is a new beginning.” Anonymous
12 pm. 31 December 2024. Firecrackers explode, the cacophonic sound of hooters disturbs the peace, alcohol is flowing, and people are cheering… Parties are in full swing! Why? A new year, 2025, has dawned… A new year is a new start, and you have most likely made some a resolutions to be “better”; be it to lose weight, exercise more, be more spiritual or earn more money and more…?
By the end of January most of these good intentions have probably buckled under the powerful whirlwind of life… It is a matter of once again doing the same things in the same ways as before even if they don’t serve your best interest. You might be disappointed in yourself or even miserable. Maybe you don’t even rethink your promises and undertakings to yourself? How come?
Simple. Old, entrenched habits. They stick to us like Velcro or superglue and are hard to break. You think and subsequently feel and do as your habits dictate. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” Bad habits can range from a reluctance to exercise, self-criticism and impatience with others? They are not easy to break but with commitment, effort and time it is possible.
“Every day, in every way, little by little I am becoming better and better!”
A habit I have cultivated over time, is to do reflection in my journal for 10 minutes before I start the day. It anchors me to acknowledge my victories and failures of the previous day as well as set my intentions for the day. I subsequently set a few small, measurable and attainable goals to embrace and practice, as well as my plan to meet them during the day ahead. “Every day, in every way, little by little I am becoming better and better!” is one of my personal mottos.
Examples. Just for today, I promise myself to exercise for 5 minutes. Just for today I forgive myself for where I have failed with exercising in the past. Just for today I will acknowledge and celebrate my progress. Just for today I will pay close attention to how entrenched thoughts, rules and assumptions determine my emotions and actions.
We are all art works in the making. Michaelangelo patiently and tediously chiselled a massive marble block weighing 6 tons, into his magnificent masterpiece, his David statue. It took him two years of focused attention and immense effort. The artist never wavered in his pursuit. In the same way we need to chisel off the rough edges of our destructive habits. It can be done, and the benefits are immense!
“Starting with the man in the middle,
I’m asking him to change his ways.
If you want to make the world a better place
Start with yourself and make the change.”
Michael Jackson
Start small and don’t waver. It is worth it!
Dr.Sonia