So I cannot believe that it’s already the year 2019. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were all stressing about the roll over to the new millennium, and wondering what the year 2000 would bring to the world? In some ways, those two decades since seem to have blurred all together, like time tends to do as we get older and older. One truth that I’ve learned for sure in my life is that the days go by way, way too fast, and if you don’t stop and hit the pause button every once in a while it will speed you by without warning, and more crucially, without notice. The start of a new year is an easy and obvious chance to do just that…to stop and reflect, to pause and consider, and to take stock in your life. It’s a natural opportunity for people to think about where they are both personally and professionally, and a chance to make goals and promises, or resolutions, to do better, to be better, and feel better about where they currently are.
The problem that often comes with these “resolutions” however, is that they are usually framed in the negative, and unrealistically, often setting people up for failure. They tend to lean toward what’s wrong in your life, and toward areas that need improvement. Recently, resolutions haven’t felt right for me, because I found myself always starting the new year in a negative mindset, focusing on things that I am not currently doing, which in my mind, I should be doing. This ultimately made me feel bad about myself. I’m sure many of you have gone through a similar experience, and maybe you’re feeling that way right now. Well, this year I’m taking a different approach to the new year…entering into 2019 with a different and positive mindset, which so far feels really good.
I remember staring out the window in northern Norway this past New Year’s Eve, just a couple of weeks ago, and going down my usual road of reflection as I marveled at the fireworks that were lighting up the midnight sky. I was thinking about all the changes that I needed to make in my life, and how I need to eat better and exercise more…how I need to drink less and spend more time with my family, and how I need to take more courses and maybe a doctorate degree in something so I can continue to learn. It was at that point that I caught myself starting to get a bit depressed and frankly, a little sad. I remember noticing this negativity and quickly shaking my head, and as I looked around I saw my two amazing kids, my beautiful wife, and this incredible light show, and it was then that I challenged myself to think about all that’s right with my life, and not about all that I perceive to be wrong with it.
Well, talk about beginning the new year on the right foot! I spent the next day or two finding moments throughout the day to focus on all that was right about the previous year, and all that is going well in my life both personally and professionally, and I finally thought, okay, I’ll just keep doing that for 2019…I’ll take all the good things that are working, and that are making me happy, and I’ll carry them over into the new year…a new year carry over can be my so called resolution. Of course over the next few weeks and even months I’ll try to eat better and exercise more, like I do after every extended holiday, and I will find new ways to learn because I’m passionate about learning, but I guess my point is this…Instead of beating yourself up about the person that you currently aren’t, and all the work that you need to do to feel better about yourself, change your mindset…even if it’s just a little.
Take stock in all that’s right about your life, and about who you are as a person, and start 2019 by celebrating that! Begin the year feeling good about yourself instead of bad, and you know what, I bet that this positive energy and outlook will be a better foundation and starting point to achieve any goals that you might have for the upcoming year. I’m willing to bet that if you begin from a place of celebration and gratitude that any changes that you want to make will be more sustainable in the long run. Anyway, happy new year everyone and I truly hope that 2019 is your best year to date! If we look closely enough, I bet all of us have areas in our lives that we are proud of and happy with…carry them over and make those positive aspects your focal point in 2019. Have a wonderful week everyone and remember to be great for our students and good to each other.
Quote of the Week…
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
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