Christine Kane has an unusual take on the resolution thing. Instead of coming up with a to-do list that you won't follow for more than a few weeks, she challenges you (and me) to come up with a single word that best describes how you want to BE for the next year, and to focus on that one word. Kane talks about the BE-DO-HAVE model and how it's more efficient than the DO-HAVE-BE model for enacting change in our lives.
My word for 2008? Gratitude. I didn't even have to think about it. I made five gratitude journals during the holiday season (one for myself and the others for loved ones) because I not only wanted appreciation to become a touchstone in my life for the next year, but I wanted to share that idea with people that I care about. I truly believe that what we think about and "thank about" we bring about in our lives, so I look at my gratitude journal as a way to focus on the more positive aspects of my life. I'm happy to announce that since I began keeping my gratitude journal, my attitude has improved by 100%. I go through my day now looking for something to be grateful for. I ask myself several times a day, "Is this it? Is this what I'll write down today?" That's not to say that I don't still have my challenges each day, because I certainly do, but they seem smaller than they did this time a week ago.
I may, in a few weeks time, add a second word to my year: release (as Christine uses in her example). I have lots of stuff and I do harbor some resentments. It would be nice to let go of both. I believe that with the release/gratitude pairing, I open myself up for even better "stuff" from the Universe -- and I'm all for better stuff!
(Thanks, again, to Jillian, for pointing me to Christine's blog post.)
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4 comments:
What a great idea! I like the idea of focusing on one word at a time. I'm starting with Release - as this is a time for me to let go of old things to open myself up to the new. Thank you for the inspiration! I want to see the pics on your blog :-)
Hi Cindy! I knew you'd love that post of Christine's. My word is calm (since "take a breath" is technically 3 words and won't work for her challenge). Or maybe it should be "think" as in "think before I act or speak". Damn...back to the drawing board for me. :)
What a great idea! I love the concept, and I love your word choice. Gratitude is such a wonderful mood elevator, isn't it?
jb
Cindy, thank you for visiting my blog. I am very touched by the kindness and humanity of your blog. A rare gem in this world ;)
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