New Year, New You? or New Year, Better You?

Jan 01, 2019

I am bringing in the new year, not with a bang, but a sniffle and a sneeze. It's a new year! 2019 has arrived and whether, we are ready for it or not, the calendar has flipped and 2018 is in the rearview. 

Did you make a resolution?

I did, but not as I usually do. In 2019 I will dedicate myself to the small things. I am going to see what happens, as a result of my actions each and every day. I have committed to improving myself through small things - the kind of small things that, when repeated over time, turn into big things. 

It is our habits that make us who we are and determine who we become. I don't want to be someone different. I want to be a better me. I want to do those things that honor the One who made me who I am. 

I believe that we have all been created by someone who loves us and who wants us to be the best that we can be. I want to utilize my gifts and talents to make my little corner of the world a better place and learn from those around me. I want to bloom where I'm planted, as it were.

While 2018 did not end very pleasantly for me, as I was hit with a nasty little virus, it has afforded me some time to reflect and set an intention for 2019. 

This is a picture of where I've spent the last few days. New Year's Eve started with a steroid shot and ended with tissue, medication and a bowl of chicken soup.

This is not the way I intended or wanted to spend the last of the holidays, it is what it is, as they say, and the only thing I can do is deal with it. 

If it is the small things in life that matter most, it is the small things in life I am going to tackle. I hate being confined, unwell and unable to tackle my normal routine. So, while in my sick bed station, I decided to attack some small jobs - my bedroom drawers! You know, those drawers that are catch-alls and home to old socks, receipts, and a plethora of other items that are kept for those "just in case" moments. 

I have collected an entire garbage bag of trash and a bin of buttons.

Most of the miscellaneous items I have found have been sorted or trashed. I have made a start. I have continued the process of getting rid of the "stuff". I feel accomplished and that feels good.

I'll continue these small projects and keep you posted, so that I can prove to you that it's those small things in every area of life that, when repeated over time, make a huge difference in our lives. 

Have you taken the time to break down your resolution or goal into small bites? Do you know what you must do each day to arrive where you want to be at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020?

If you don't give it some thought, chances are you'll be doing the same thing and getting the same result.

My continuing goal is to do better and be better, but how do I do that? First, I commit a portion of each day doing those things that will make me better and accomplish my goals, whether it is cleaning out another drawer or running another mile.

Second, I am going to chart and record my actions and my progress. In doing this, I will be able to look back and see what my efforts, no matter how small, have accomplished. 

Third, no matter how I feel, I will continue to move forward. Some days, I won't feel like committing time to my goal, but I will - even if it is for 10 minutes. At least it will be something.

Will you join me? I promise to keep you up to date and let you know what I'm working on. Hopefully, you'll let me know what your resolution and/or goal is for 2019 and we can achieve them together. 

Let's get started!

Robin