Yet in a matter of weeks our life changing resolution is a faint memory. What happens ? How can we be so committed to something one day and drop it in a just a short time?
Perhaps we should decide what we want to BE, instead of deciding what we will DO. Look at the phrase, human being. Notice it is not human doing. In our busy society, “doing” is how many people obtain and maintain their identity and self worth. This doesn’t work for long. Someone will eventually out-DO us, there will always be more to DO and eventually we get tired of DOing everything.
If you have already put your resolution aside that’s fine. How about starting today. Take some time to ask yourself the question mentioned above. What do I want to be in a year from now? This question takes some introspection and personal honesty. Look at all the hats you wear and decide where you want to be in each of those positions.
If you are a parent, your resolution might be: I want to be an involved, loving, encouraging and stable parent so that my child can reach their full potential and we can have an enjoyable and close relationship.
If you are married your resolution might be: I want to be a supportive, fun, loyal, dependable and kind spouse so that I can have a happy and fulfilling marriage.
If you are a supervisor your resolution might be: I want to treat every employee in a way that makes them feel valuable, competent and empowered so they add more value to the company and so they find more joy in their jobs ad take that joy home to their families.
If you are tired of being unhappy with your weight or your poor health your resolution might be: I want to be at a healthy weight so that I have a strong and healthy body that moves and completes daily tasks with ease.
If you have anger of bitterness towards someone your resolution might be: I want to be peaceful and happy.
If you are overwhelmed by creditors and bills your resolution might be: I want to be debt free so that I have more time for family, friends and enjoyable activities and less time being stressed.
When we decide what we want to BE, rather than what we are going to do. It gives us the ability to change what we DO so that we reach the goal of what we want to be. When our focus is on what we want to be, we adjust our doing to reach the goal of being a good parent, spouse or supervisor or being peaceful and happy.
Deciding what we want to be helps us stay focused because we can ask ourselves a very simple question before we say or do anything. ‘Is what I am doing today getting me closer to where I want to be tomorrow?” Go ahead have that talk with yourself, what do you want to be?
