Things to think about for the New Year

I found these posted on another site and felt it rings so true for so many of us, and that's part of my resolutions of 2008 is being a better me ...

 

I think you become a better human being by contributing in some way to the world. It doesn't have to be a big thing, and you don't have to have money or power. It can be little things - helping someone who needs help, working with an organization, offering simple kindnesses and common courtesies without expecting a reward.

When you help because it's the right thing to do, you know it whether anyone else does or not, and you've made your corner of the world just a tiny bit better. I think that when you feel good about yourself, all the rest, the eating, and the health, and the waistline, and the spirit - take care of themselves.

and this...

Prioritize your life toward being at peace with yourself. "It's not what you're eating, it's what's eating you."

and this...

I'd have to say to realize my weaknesses, my faults and shortcomings first. Usually its one of these that causes all other areas (like eating and exercisiing) to be an issue. As we search our inner beings, then we can visualize how we would rather be and make a decision for change. Our spirt can grow as we search and strive to better just one part of ourselves.

For me, what comes to mind are my fears that I allow to halt progress in so many areas of my life. Perhaps I can focus on what I'm fearing, how to face it and makes steps to approach it and become more of the person I desire.

And here are some questions...

Get Connected with Your Truth
The hardest thing to do is be honest with yourself. Asking yourself some key questions will lead you to some amazing discoveries, and possibly motivate you to do what it takes to create the life you envision for yourself.
I suggest writing your (honest) answers to the following questions in a new journal for the new year:

1. What makes you happy at work?
2. What makes you happy at home?
3. What makes you happy with your friends and family?
4. What makes you happy when you're by yourself?
5. What do you love to do?
6. What would you do with your life today if you weren't afraid of failure?
7. What's not working in your life?
8. What are you currently doing that prevents you from experiencing joy?
9. What's working in your life?
10. Who's not working in your life?
11. Who in your life is subtracting value from and adding misery to it?
12. Can you fix any of these relationships, or should you let them go from your life?
13. What relationships are working in your life?
14. If we were getting together one year from today, what would have to happen for you to be able to tell me that you now have more joy in your life?
15. What's the single most important thing you've learned about yourself as a result of answering these questions?
16. You'll find that by putting your answers down on paper, they'll become clear more quickly and the actions you need to take more obvious and easier to initiate.

Principle 3: Stop Judging Yourself

Be nicer to yourself in 2007. Many people talk to themselves in a way they would never accept from a stranger, friend, or loved one. If this describes you, try stopping the negative conversations you have with yourself immediately.
For one week, simply commit to saying "stop it" when you think a negative thought about yourself. If you're in the habit of saying negative things to yourself, you'll find this is one of the most difficult exercises you'll ever do. Carry a notepad with you and make a mark each time you catch yourself thinking negatively. You'll find that as the days go by, your negative thinking can quickly be reduced.

Principle 4: Stop Judging Others

It's hard to be joyful when you're always judging others. In fact, it's close to impossible. Judging others creates a huge amount of stress in our lives. It affects our marriages and our relationships with our kids as well as the way we relate to friends, co-workers, and society in general.  We're not here to judge one another.

The next time you find yourself upset at someone or some situation, catch yourself and ask, "Are you judging?" Judging others is often an unconscious habit. But it's a habit that can be changed the moment you decide to stop doing it.