Creating a New Resolution for the New Year

Another year is coming to an end, and the holiday season is here once again.  There is something special about the end of the year.  The energy is higher.  Despite all the holiday planning and the end of the year stress, there is a great sense of hope that comes with ending the year and starting a new one.  For most people, this is the best time to close the book on the old thoughts and activities and to start a new chapter.  

Hope is a beautiful thing.  We all hope that the New Year will bring something amazing for us.  We look at the New Year as the beginning, as if we are starting our life all over again.  It seems that it is part of our internal programming to begin again.  We have been told that we can start fresh.  Take a few minutes and think about your feelings at the end of this year.  What do you think about? How do you feel? What do you wish for? 

Aside from the holiday shopping and family get-together stress, most people feel a little more energized at the end of the year.  Some people get to relax a little more, some spend a little more time with their family, and most people will come up with a new resolution for the coming year.  

Normally, what you want to change is something physical or related to your outside world, like losing weight, finding a new job, discovering a new relationship, or making more money.  You want to feel better and hope to change what has been bothering you.

Unfortunately, most people start the year on the same path that they have ended it.  They continue doing what they have done for years.  They will go back to the same jobs.  If unemployed, they continue looking for the same things that they have disliked for years.  They continue looking for the same relationships that never materialized in the past.  They continue with the same expectation from their spouses, children, and coworkers.  They start with a new diet plan, only to get frustrated and give up in a few weeks.  They continue having the same challenges they had before, and most will give up shortly after they start.  They forget about their dreams and continue living with the same pains and dissatisfactions for another year.  Do you know people like that?  

It is understandable to feel frustrated and disappointed once again.  However, some part of you knew this would happen, so it is not a complete surprise to you.  On the other hand, you were hoping that this time you could change it all. After all, you think change would make you much happier.  However, you feel disappointed, unhappy, and you may end up blaming yourself and others for your lack of progress.  

Here is the Exciting News!

Everything is exactly happening the way you have planned it.  You have designed your life and this is part of your plan.   You cannot change a major part of your life unless you change your master design.  You can make minor changes; nonetheless, eventually you will hit the boundaries of your core design.  It is like buying a ticket to go to New York City; changing your seat on the plane does not change your destination. You have designed your life and it is serving your purpose.  Nothing can change and everything is running perfectly in what you have created. 

We all hear so much about change.  Politicians are the best example, they talk about change to give us hope and get more votes, only to continue on the same path until the next election.  Motivational speakers do the same by motivating us to take action.  You do the same thing to yourself.  You give yourself hope to make yourself happy when you know you do not really want to change.  You know the real change will come with a price, and requires work and commitment.  Are you ready to pay the price? Here is a better question to ask yourself - can you afford to stay the same?

Where to Start?

Painting the old house will not create a new house.  It will make the old house look better; however, the foundation is still the same.  In order to build a new house you require a new foundation.  The same is true about you.  Changing what is outside will not affect what is inside.  The real change can only take place from inside.  Therefore, you need to work on your foundation.    

Most people believe they can change their body, career, or relationship to feel better inside.  They join the gym, find a new job, and start a new relationship.  Some even experience success at the beginning.  However, they lose their motivation eventually and go back to where they have started.  By the same token, making a change in your kitchen will not make you a better cook.  Similarly, changing your car does not make you more attractive and having more money does not make you better than others.  Changing from the outside may be helpful at times; however, it will never change who you are inside.

The real change requires work and commitment.  You have created your life based on your current thoughts and beliefs.  Changing one part could affect many other parts independently and possibly everything as a whole.  Hence, for a lasting change, you must be willing to change whatever it takes and work from inside out.  Also, you need new thoughts.  What has brought you here is not enough to move you forward.  You need to discover your inner powers, increase your awareness, and get clarity about what you want.  Even though, it may seem too difficult to start, you will find what you need as you move forward, and you can always ask for help and hire a coach to assist you.  

Give yourself a new gift this year.  Look at your past choices and notice your role in your life. Learn more about your strengths and create a New Year resolution to love and accept yourself as you are.  Finally, allow yourself to dream, to express your desires, to connect with your passion, and to talk about what you love without fear.  Happy Holidays!