Honestly, making resolutions hasn’t felt quite right for me recently, because I found myself always starting the new year in a negative mindset. I was focusing on things that I wasn’t doing well, or doing at all, and 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 again I’m taking a different approach to the new year, and I’m entering into 2023 with a different and positive mindset, which so far feels really good.
During this past holiday break I purposely re-read a post that I shared a few years ago. I had shared in that particular post that I used to start a new year by beating myself up for needing to eat better and exercise more, to drink less and spend more time with my family, and all the rest. I remember catching myself starting to get a bit depressed when January hit and frankly, a little sad. I wrote about how one New Year’s Eve not that long ago, when I was getting a little overwhelmed by the changes that I “needed” to make, I started looking around and I saw my two amazing kids, my beautiful wife, and this incredible New Year’s light show, and that’s when I challenged myself flip the script so to speak, and to start thinking about all that’s right with my life, and not about all that I perceived to be wrong with it.
This mindset shift has allowed me to focus on all that was great about the previous year, and all that is going well in my life both personally and professionally. I now take all the good things that are working, and that are making me happy, and I carry them over into the new year…a new year’s carry over has now become my new year’s 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 and new things 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, and begin the year focusing on the positive.
Try to take stock in all that’s right about your life, and all that’s great about who you are as a person, and start 2023 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. You see, 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 as we speed through January. Anyway, happy new year everyone and I truly hope that 2023 is your best year to date! Have a wonderful week everyone and remember to be great for our students and good to each other.
Life I am the New Year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about a life of reflection and giving.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve
is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will,
All the faith that you claimed but did not have —
these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened
by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity
to renew your allegiance to a life fulfilled
I am the New Year.
— Author Unknown
Quote of the Week…
Celebrate what you want to see more of
-Tom Peters
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