RESOLUTIONS: NEW BEGINNINGS

The New Year is generally eagerly anticipated with a sense of hope, enthusiasm and positivity it will be better than the last. It is regarded as an ideal time of new beginnings to embark on challenging ourselves to change by way of resolutions made with fervor. We have all been there, promising to exercise more; go on a diet; assess our career trajectory, save; spend more time with family and friends and reflect. Some of course stay the course, whilst others falter. A Clinical Psychology study reported only 47% of people are successful with their resolutions.

An advocate of resolutions, I’m not making any this year. Instead, I am going to adopt Melinda Gates’s idea of choosing a word for the year as a means of guidance and my chosen word is ‘Gratitude’. An apt quote for gratitude is:

Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion, into clarity… It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow” (Melody Beattie).

Gratitude is not simply about being self-absorbed, it also allows us to recognise our connection and interdependence to others and their roles in our lives, which creates stronger relationships between partners, families and friends. Saying thank you more and showing kindness, be it a gift; helping with a task; apologising when wrong; making amends or simply emailing or Whatsapp a friend you know is sad, are simple acts of gratitude. But in the bargain, studies indicate the benefits create optimism; increase happiness and aid better physical and mental health.

2023 will see 50+s with another year under their belts. Those living their best life will be glad to be alive; continue to learn, the key to staying sharp and present and hope to encounter new people and adventures. However, for those on the other side of the fence, whether dealing with ageing, transitioning to retirement or life’s other scars, it is not too late to do inner work to establish a healthy relationship with mind, body and soul (nurture the mind with positive thoughts; willing to change for betterment and to reconnect deeper into faith system to easily reach healing).

What camp do you belong to – ‘Resolutions are a yearly ritual’. ‘What’s life without goals’? ‘I don’t do resolutions’. ‘Intentions are all well and good, but don’t always pan out’.