As a progressive Christian, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
Happy New Year! Many people make New Year’s resolutions, all with good intent like losing weight, exercising, paying off debts, saving money, wanting to be a better person – all good goals. But why don’t New Year’s resolutions last too long? Many are gone by the end of January, and most are gone by the end of July! Why do most resolutions fail?
Life Coach, Alan Cohen, was working with a woman who was burdened by a terrible sense of feeling overwhelmed. She just couldn’t keep up with all the “shoulds” reverberating inside her head; voices of her parents along with other past authority figures. He told her, “There is no way you are ever going to succeed at keeping up with all of your self-imposed obligations.”
“Why is that?”
“There is no joy, intention or true choice in any of them. Your life is one big ‘I have to.’”
Then he suggested she “shift from discipline to ‘blissipine’. You will always succeed at things you choose because they make you happy. You will never succeed at things you do just because you have to out of self-imposed obligations.”
Now, we all have things we have to do, whether we like to or not. And there are other things we would love to do, but we don’t do them! Why’s that?
When we take the time to do the things that fill our soul, the other “stuff” in life becomes easier, lighter and even more enjoyable! You’ve heard of a tipping point? You can create a tipping point in favor of joyful activities by engaging from the heart, rather than only from the head.
I like the idea in an article I read. This year, forget about your New Year’s resolutions and pay more attention to your New Year’s evolutions. Resolutions, many times, are about the will and all the “shoulds” in our lives, of forcing over allowing, of demanding over flowing.
This year, I invite you to consider waking up self-expression and healing, cultivating your authentic self and letting life live through you rather than marching like a Stormtrooper into the black hole of endless obligation. How would that change your life?
“Blissipline” requires a leap of faith. Learn to trust your inner voice and then act on it rather than letting your life be controlled by outside demands that are so internalized you think they are your choices. Your true and authentic choices will flow from love, not fear.
A man was talking with his therapist about looking for direction and not knowing what he should do with his life. Here’s part of the conversation:
“My ex-wife wants me to do one thing, my girlfriend another, my kids another and my boss is pushing me in another direction. What do you think I should do?”
“What would you like to do?”
The man looked confused. “I don’t know. I never thought about that.”
“Take some time to answer that question. It will save your life.”
A few weeks later the therapist received an email from the guy, telling him that the question was the most important one anyone had ever asked him.
When he got in touch with his true choices rather than the choices others were attempting to make for him, he discovered a path that would really work for him. He was grateful beyond words.
It has been said we are the sum of our choices. All the experiences you have ever had have brought you to where you are now. Now all you have to do is honor what makes you happy more than your need to please or prove.
I like what Alan Cohen has to say, “You don’t have to wrestle your destiny to the ground like a big growling bear. Simply cooperate with what wants to happen.”
How can we ever forget how Star Wars: The Force Awakens took the end of 2015 by storm! You know how they say, “May the Force be with you?” That’s a nice wish, but how much stronger would it be if the blessing was “May you be with the Force!” The Force is already with you. You just have to let it work on your behalf.
We live in a world of pressure don’t we? Deadlines and due dates. If you want better results, most of the time relaxation and order works better than pressure and anxiety. If adding more pressure to your life worked, well, then we’d all be a lot happier! Think about it, if something you are doing isn’t working, doing more of it won’t work better.
Now, I’m not suggesting you be lazy or irresponsible. And, ironically, acting from fear is the laziest and most irresponsible attitude, because actions that come from fear are nonproductive. Actions that come from choice and joy bear results that will serve you and everyone else, much better.
This year, resolve to evolve. Goethe said, “As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” He was echoing the advice of Buddha who said, “Now all that is left is for you to become yourself.”
Let this year’s resolution be to evolve. Let love, joy, peace and abundance take you where you want to go.
Here’s to you! Here’s to a healthy, blessed and joy-filled new year! Happy New Year!
