Do you set New Year’s resolutions every year, but never keep them? You aren’t alone.

What are the usual resolutions?
Lose weight
Stop smoking
Stop cussing
Read more, and watch less TV
Stay on a budget
Exercise

A few years ago, I worked in an office building that had a health club attached.
Beginning January 1st, the parking garage would be full, and cars would be lined up a half mile on the road side.
People would cruise around in their cars waiting for the close-in spots to open up so they could go in and exercise. I never got that!
This would last until mid-January—when everything would go back to normal.

The list of resolutions above are all very worthy endeavors.
It has been said, “If you keep doing what you are currently doing, you’ll keep getting what you are currently getting.”
If you sincerely want to make a good go at your resolutions this year, I would like to give you some steps you can take to keep your resolve and stay motivated.

1. Write your resolutions down.
You know this; you hear it every year. Write them down.
But first, dream awhile.
Make a dream list. What would you wish for yourself if you had no limitations? Jot down the list, let it flow, don’t argue with yourself.
Now, what one great thing would you dare to dream if success was certain? Record your ultimate goal, and some short- and mid-range goals for progress measurement.
Carry the list around with you everywhere you go. Review it often to remind yourself.
Henry David Thoreau said, “Have you built your castles in the air? Good, that’s where they should be built. Now, go to work and build foundations under them.”

2. Set a date.
Set a date on which you will have completed the goal.

3. Make a plan.
All of the motivation in the world won’t help you if you don’t plan how you’ll do it.
List your steps.
Include what you’ll say to yourself when you want to relax your standards a little.
Count the cost, and decide if it’s worth it.
Decide on small rewards you’ll give yourself along the way as you make progress.
Be sure to make the rewards big enough to keep you striving.
Make the rewards compliment your goal, not hinder it. For instance, I should not reward myself for meeting a weight-loss goal by eating an entire chocolate cake.
Instead, I should buy a new shirt in a smaller size.
Zig Ziglar has said, “When you develop a game plan to get what you want, you will develop a belief that you can get it.”

4. Develop dated milestones.
For instance, if you, like me plan to lose a pound a week, you can easily set dated milestones. Set Monday as your official weigh-in day, and record your progress. This also works for income goals, and many other types.

5. List “WHY” you want to accomplish each goal.
I have a great deal of heart disease in my family history. I need to control what I can to minimize my exposure to heart ailments. Maybe you want to please your partner—or find one.

6. List who benefits from your accomplishment.
Also list why you want to please them. Who is counting on you? Sometimes, this is a greater motivator than your own desires.

7. Have a partner or partners with whom you will share your progress.
Every Monday, after weighing in, report to someone what weight you hoped you would have reached, and what you actually weighed.
This is important
Be truthful..

8. Visualize the accomplishment of your goal with all of your senses.
a. Sight – visualize yourself at your goal weight
b. Taste – the victory
c. Feel – the excitement at having accomplished something so big
d. Hear – the complements you receive for looking so good
e. Smell – smell the rice cakes you will never have to eat again

9. Read my e-zine weekly
For inspiration, instruction, and motivation read Ordinary People Can Win!

10. Review your progress often.
If you are off your milestone goal, decide if your plan needs revising. Make changes to your plan, as needed.
If you were driving to work and saw that your usual route was close for construction, you wouldn’t quit and go home–you’d find another way.” If you are on track, give yourself the pre-determined reward.

11. Include your resolutions in your prayers.
I believe in praying.
Ask for help—you’ll get it if you do your part, and if you ask.
I know that you can have strength and abilities beyond your nature through sincere prayer.

You can make this year different.
Why not try something new?
If you keep doing the same thing, you’ll keep getting the same result.
You may feel great motivation and confidence when you originally set your goal, but it’s very difficult to stay committed.
With these tools, you can change that!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When you have lost your song and
can’t find your way through the darkness,
remember the Lord for all He has already done.

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

Glimpses of God © by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Quick! Throw Me A Line!

 by: Skye Thomas

I was reminiscing with a friend recently about his ‘dark night of the soul’ that he’d just experienced. During his pain, he turned his back on God. Raised in a traditional Catholic family he found himself very angry at God and at the church during an especially ugly divorce and custody battle. As he’s coming back into himself, we’ve been talking and processing together through a lot of what happened and what he’s been through. It took him three years to even begin to let go of the extreme rage he felt when she first left him. I had tried desperately to guide him through his hell with the help of my spiritual beliefs, but he was just too mad at God to hear any of it. His issues had nothing to do with me, but they just about ended our friendship because of his overwhelming anger at the entire world and everyone in it.

Why would God let this happen to him? Hadn’t he been a good person? Hadn’t he given an incredible amount of his time and money to the church? If doing good deeds creates a positive karmic result, then what the heck just happened to turn his world upside down? I’ve seen it happen to a lot of people. Bad things happen so there must not be a god – or – God must not like them anymore. Either way, people feel abandoned by their concepts of religion and by their god. Like so many others, my friend went through hell without believing there was a God to look after him. It took him a long time to even begin the healing process as a result.

It was hard to talk to him about spirituality during that time. It didn’t help that we had such a polarity in our different belief systems. I’m really quite metaphysical and New Age while he was extremely traditional and orthodox in his Catholicism. We didn’t even speak the same language when trying to discuss our religious leanings. One of the major signs that he’s finally beginning to come around and heal is his openness to even discuss the topic of spirituality without going off into a tirade over the injustices that God had forced him to endure.

As we sat there talking about it all the other night, I finally found the words the perfect analogy that I’d been searching for over those three years. I use the term “spirit” as a generic term for God, Buddha, Mohammed, The Force, Guardian Angels, The Light, or whatever else you like to call it. Please replace the word “spirit” with whatever label you use to describe your idea of what that higher something is…. This isn’t the place to debate such things. The analogy fits regardless of your religious beliefs.

“Spirit is like a life preserver. When you find yourself drowning in hot water, it’s not the life preserver’s fault that you somehow landed yourself there. Life preserver’s aren’t put on the boat to keep you from falling over. However, when you find yourself there, struggling, drowning, suffering from life’s problems, you will respond one of three ways. You might panic and struggle causing you to sink deeper. The harder you fight it, the heavier you seem to get and you begin sinking like a rock. That’s what my friend did. You might try to swim on your own, but the world and it’s ocean is a big place and humans aren’t designed to swim alone forever. You will eventually drown from the sheer exhaustion of trying to go it alone. Your third option is to reach for that life preserver, relax and trust that it will bring you above water so that you can once again breathe freely. The life preserver won’t pull you back up into the boat, but it will keep you from drowning as long as you trust that you will again be above water and you will see the sunlight on your face again.”

To me that’s what spirituality is really all about. We’re supposed to handle our problems and circumstances on our own. That’s the way the game was designed to be played. We are meant to reach out to our fellow man in times of need and to offer a hand to others in need. Some celestial being from above isn’t suppose to bail us out of every problem every time. We’re supposed to learn how to love one another through life’s challenges. If we have a strong connection to Spirit while holding on to that life preserver, and we relax in the knowing that everything will turn out for the best, then eventually our head does pop up above water and we do breathe in the fresh air of life once again. Then we can turn to our companions and request their help in getting back up into the boat. Once again, sailing off into another sunset.

My friend liked my analogy. Why couldn’t I find those words three years ago? Would he have listened if I had? Hard to say. There were times I jumped into the water with him and tried to pull him out, but like any lifeguard knows, you can’t save someone who’s fighting and panicking through the process. I threw that life preserver out to him more times than I can count, but he always swam away from it. There were times I thought to leave him there to drown, but it seemed a bit too cold and cruel to just leave him there. Finally, my own Guardian Angels told me, “Let him alone. He must find his own way.” And so it appears that’s what he’s doing. He seems to have found a life preserver and some peace with his god. Next time, somebody ought to just throw a lasso around him whether he wants it or not and then drag him along behind the boat until he’s ready to stand up like a water-skier!

Copyright 2003, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow’s Edge

About The Author

Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to spirituality, motivation, and inspiration in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, motivation, and parenting. More of her articles can be found at www.tomorrowsedge.net as well as free previews of her books.

skye@tomorrowsedge.net

Source: High Quality Article Database – 365Articles.com

Not long ago I heard about a study performed on death-bed conversations. The study noted that the two most frequently discussed subjects at the end of one’s life were:
1. Relationships; and
2. Contributions made in one’s life

While we remain in pursuit of many worthwhile personal endeavors, we must always remember to acknowledge and nurture those around us.
Those who need nurturing may be our family or our co-workers; but they may also be those in the community at-large.

I have found in my own life, and observed in the life of others that we can attract abundance by serving others. The biblical adage, “We reap what we sow” lives on.

We live fulfilled lives, not by seeking treasure or pleasure for ourselves, but by turning our desires and efforts outward.

By so doing, we put ourselves in the position to deserve success.

Many of us live what I call a “TV existence.” Rather than giving back to the community, and making life for others better, those living the “TV existence” live their lives as passive spectators, always seeking rest and comfort.

How can we fight our way out of such lives?

Start keeping a journal.
Leave a legacy to your children of an account of your life. If you record your activities, you will tend to lift yourself off of the sofa and accomplish more meaningful works. No one wants to record in their daily journal, “Today I watched the following sit-coms….”

Find a need and seek to fill it
Look for opportunities to make a contribution to the good of others.

On a Monday not long ago, as I took my lunchtime walk around a nearby lake, I noticed a great deal of trash left by the weekend recreationalists. I fumed in my mind for ten minutes or so, and then decided I should do something positive. The next day, Tuesday, as I walked, I brought along a trash bag and a stick with a nail on the end for picking up trash. I was able to get my exercise, and at the same time, pick up a few pounds of trash. My walks on Wednesday and Thursday filled me with warmth and gladness at seeing the results of my simple labor.

Continue giving money, but begin giving time.
Financial Contributions are praise-worthy, but the joy of writing a check cannot be compared to that that comes from hugging a cancer patient or feeding the homeless. When we give our time, the feeling of generosity lasts much longer.

Involve your whole family and others
A good experience shared is a greater one. When united in a good cause, our relationships become richer.
Many years ago I managed several programmers developing software to be used by nursing home personnel. They had developed that “ivory tower” attitude that the users were idiots, and they were the superiors. There was also terrible job dissatisfaction and turnover in the department. I had to find a way to help them feel a greater purpose in their labors. I began taking them to some of the nursing homes, and had them volunteer. Not once in their visits did they watch their software being used. Instead, they helped with activities, gave manicures, and served food.
Almost immediately, the tone of the department changed. They viewed their work more as a purposeful calling than as a difficult labor. They gained an admiration for the workers who used their products. And they began working more as a team. The sense of meaning and unified purpose changed everything.

The same effect can result when we involve our families in serving others.

Who needs your help?
Keep your eyes and ears open—opportunities to serve surround us. We just need to become aware. Read your local newspaper and the newsletters from your schools. It’s not hard to find people or agencies that need helpers.

Nursing homes always need visitors and volunteers. The elderly who live at home need yard work, snow removal and home repairs. Youth need athletic coaches, scout leaders, and vocational trainers. Health associations need people to help in the office, stuff envelopes, and many other tasks.

Check your yellow pages for social agencies and service clubs.

Do something right away. I have heard people say that they will first make their fortune, then perform some grand and exotic service to mankind. But I have found that we can do more good by doing many little things throughout our lives—day after day. Samuel Johnson said, “He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do anything.”

Find a worthy cause, and thrust your heart into it. Your community will benefit greatly—and so will you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR