Setting Goals for the new Western Calendar Year

With the New Year fast approaching, people are often overcome with feelings of defeat because they were unable to reach the goals they set for themselves this time last year, wonderment about where on earth the time went and reflecting primarily on the negative obstacles they faced over the last 12 months.  We all too often use this time to ponder all the things we want to change, all the things we have yet to accomplish, and all the expectations of ourselves and others that were not met and the “failures” of the year.  This frequently results in feelings of heaviness, regretful and setback.

What would happen if?

Yet we find ourselves in the same space-time and time again; wishing we had done more with our time.  What would happen if, instead of creating new (or the same), material goals related to appearance,  money etc.,  we focused on attaining goals reflective of inner beauty, health and peace of mind?; goals related to gratitude, acceptance, forgiveness and spiritual health.  Those that encompasses meditation, prayer, silence, and mindfulness.  Those that help us to feel comfortable with the lifelong challenges we face, the world’s disparities and other people’s shortcomings.

What would happen if we focused on self-love, forgiving ourselves, centring and grounding ourselves daily so we become more self-aware and compassionate towards others?  What if we set goals that recognize that there is a universe larger than we are, that we are an intricate but minuscule fragment of a much larger universe that has our best interest in mind if we trust it, recognize it and appreciate it for its natural state? Would be happier and healthier in a year’s time?  After all, isn’t that the point of most resolutions?

How can I accomplish this?

 

Here are a few examples of ways you can accomplish this non-material goal:

  • Meditate daily – for at least 5 minutes
  • Complete the 100 days of Happiness Challenge – recognize and photograph (if you can) one thing a day that made you feel happy
  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • Take a mindfulness seminar that teaches the basic principles of meditation and focus on breath
  • Tell yourself “I love you” in the mirror every day (this can be harder than you think)
  • Practice clean eating and exercise regularly
  • Laugh and love, even when it’s easier to cry and hate

 

Throw out the traditional practice of setting New Year’s Resolutions and set new goals daily around inner peace and gratitude. The positivity that this can create will make you more able to accomplish the lifelong goals we all have and that keeps us motivated.