New Year's Resolutions

It's not to late to make a New Year's Resolution if you haven't done so already. For those of you who have already made them- you have 360 more days to work on them! Good luck!

A friend of mine once complained that he always needed to make the same resolutions and commitments to improve himself. "Why aren't I getting better at this? Why do I always struggle with the same things?!" he fretted.

What he failed to see (if I can use the turtle analogy again) is that we carry around the same hard shell on our back all of the time. While we can find ways to reduce its size and make carrying it easier, few of us can ever get rid of it completely (and those who do find yet another shell to carry soon after).

Let's use an extreme example to illustrate my point... Nobody would think twice if a recovering alcoholic said that his or her New Year's resolution was to stay sober all year. In fact, because the alcoholic's addiction never really goes away, it would be smart if he or she made this same New Year's resolution year after year as a way to keep this commitment always at the forefront of their mind. The resolution may never change.

Further, even if someone's resolution does change, often the new one will focus on the same issue. Someone struggling with their weight may resolve to lose 30 pounds in 2010. Because their struggle with weight will never magically disappear, their 2011 resolution may have to include not gaining the 30 pounds back. Two resolutions... same issue.

The personal issue that I always have to work on is not becoming so overextended that I abandon my prayer life. My resolutions, whether for the New Year or a retreat, always focus on: simplifying my life; reducing stress; taking deep breaths; recognizing God's presence in my life; and finding new ways to pray. I have to keep making fresh commitments to these activities because if I neglect them- even for just a week- I get lost in a sea of confusion and have to work twice as hard to get my life back on track!

Of course, I am not advocating that anyone approach their resolutions with the attitude, "I don't have to work to hard on this, because I can always make the same resolution next year." Anyone who says that is cheap- and obviously not serious about improving themselves. The goal is always to accept our resolutions with a full COMMITMENT, our complete ATTENTION and every EXPECTATION that we will be successful.

So if you have not already, spend some time this week reflecting on the areas of your life that you need to focus on this year. Don't get discouraged if you find yourself dealing with the same problems and issues that you have dealt with in the past. Accept yourself for who you are and simply resolve to become the best person that you possibly can.

Blessings in 2010! Peace turtles!