New Year’s is another one of those quirky holidays that we don’t usually know where it came from, but we know it comes along with the making of resolutions, promises, and the worship of different gods. Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each March that they would return borrowed objects (probably stuff they stole). The practice of beginning each January came from the Romans and their god Janus. Almost all practices are motivated more by sacrifice than of responsibility. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually. In our current society, resolutions are commonly failed attempts at fulfilling unrealistic goals of too many resolutions. How can you choose to make a decision that will stick and contribute to your quality of character? Look within and see what you have been able to do and compare to things you have been working on putting into action. You don’t need 70 different goals that are included in your 10 year plan. For example, if you are a good person anyway, you could resolve to be more of a good person. This is a realistic goal. Depending on how much self-discipline you have, you could increase the demands on yourself that are realistic. Actually, the statement, “I will be a good person,” sounds pretty simple. Don’t let it fool you. It’s actually very difficult to be a good person all the time. I hope many of you can see the power wrapped in something as simple as being a good person. What if everyone resolved to be a good person? Sometimes, if resolutions are project oriented, I find that as soon as I make it a resolution I feel some kind of anxious dread about procrastination. I’m guessing I’m not alone, because I have found a lot of people have chosen not to participate in any resolution efforts at all rather than face such pains.
There could be things you are already doing that can be expanded upon, like learning to apply the Six Steps to Peace to more situations in life in an effort to reach positive resolutions to conflict. I’ve had a little practice with that, so I think that is a realistic expectation for me to say, “I will apply the six steps more often to a wider variety of conflicts I must resolve.” You could even break it down into step by step. For January and February I will strive to create bonds, the next two months would be step two and so on, until you have fulfilled a realistic resolution for an entire year. We should also take note that being able to make sacrifices that will benefit the lives of others is crucial action for our growth. I hope many of you can see the power wrapped together in something as simple as being "a good person". What if everyone resolved to be a good person?
Best of wishes for all of you in your resolutions for the coming year. Reach out to the Family if you’re feeling shaky in your efforts; we are here to uplift and lift up our Brothers and Sisters. Peace and Blessings, Love and Service, Always.
There could be things you are already doing that can be expanded upon, like learning to apply the Six Steps to Peace to more situations in life in an effort to reach positive resolutions to conflict. I’ve had a little practice with that, so I think that is a realistic expectation for me to say, “I will apply the six steps more often to a wider variety of conflicts I must resolve.” You could even break it down into step by step. For January and February I will strive to create bonds, the next two months would be step two and so on, until you have fulfilled a realistic resolution for an entire year. We should also take note that being able to make sacrifices that will benefit the lives of others is crucial action for our growth. I hope many of you can see the power wrapped together in something as simple as being "a good person". What if everyone resolved to be a good person?
Best of wishes for all of you in your resolutions for the coming year. Reach out to the Family if you’re feeling shaky in your efforts; we are here to uplift and lift up our Brothers and Sisters. Peace and Blessings, Love and Service, Always.