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I love the New Year, the energy and possibilities that come
alive at the turning of the year. However, I've never loved New
Year's resolutions and I've never kept most of the ones I've
made. Today, I know that I am in good company with the majority
of people who make resolutions. I stopped making them a few
years ago and actually felt relieved. A couple of years ago I
starting setting goals instead and was only slightly more
successful at reaching them than I was at keeping resolutions.
By February, I usually didn't know where they were. Whenever I
would run across and read them, I would immediately get tense.
Sometimes I'd find them a year or more later and still get
tense.
The major obstacle was that the resolutions were things I
thought I "should" be, do or have. "Shoulds" are most often
quite different than the dreams and desires of my heart and
soul. The resolutions were driven, not inspired or truly
meaningful.
Being, doing and having are wonderful elements of the human
experience, however, it is when each of these is authentic that
we are inspired to be, do and have whatever it may be and are
fulfilled on the path to it's accomplishment.
It has become clear to me that we all are in the world to use
our natural gifts and talents in expanding and adding value to
life, to experience and spread more love, joy and aliveness.
This is our natural & spiritual purpose. How we do this is
unique to each of us, as our individual purpose may be.
It is through our dreams and deep desires that we are called
toward living out the unique expression of our natural &
spiritual purpose. It is by saying "yes" to them and being
committed, through our actions, that we are inspired and given
the ways and means to their fulfillment.
I invite you to join other readers in the following alternative
to New Year's resolutions, beginning today.
7 Simple Steps for Keeping Your Resolutions Alive
1. What is a dream or deep desire that's been trying to get your
attention OR that you've been trying to avoid? Name it, write it
down and say "yes," even if you don't know how it will be
accomplished.
2. What would be different if you were living out this dream or
desire? See yourself living it. How do you feel? What are you
doing? Who is around you? Where are you? Write these things
down, and anything else that would be different.
3. What will happen if you never say "yes" to this dream?
Imagine your life never having said yes to your heartfelt
dreams. How do you feel? What is the expression on your face?
What are your relationships like? Write down these things with
the emotion behind them.
4. Each month for the remainder of the year, beginning this
month, spend time envisioning yourself living your dream - see
and feel yourself doing it. Then choose 3 goals for the month
that inspire you and will lead you to your dream. Write down
these goals as simply and specifically as possible.
5. Each week, look at your 3 monthly goals, spend time
envisioning your dream and then ask yourself what 3 actions you
can take this week that will lead you to the accomplishment of
these monthly goals. Write them down and do these actions.
6. Each day, spend time thinking about everything in your life
for which you are grateful, including small ways you see or feel
your dream manifesting. Make this a practice and do it at the
same time every day.
7. Whenever you get the chance, tell someone about your dream.
Also, ask them what is a dream they have and get into dream
conversations.
Why not begin in February? It is after all the month of love.
There's nothing like following a dream or a heartfelt desire to
open your heart up wide, letting love out and letting love in.
Why not start right now? That's where your power is, "Now."
Before you read further write down one action that you will take
to move you closer to your dream as soon as you finish reading
this article.
And remember this, Every dream calls for a team. It's important
to have relationships and regular contact with people who
inspire you, who absolutely believe in and support you and your
dreams, people who will cheer your successes and be there to
remind you to get back on track when you feel doubtful or
discouraged. Begin creating the team you want and deserve,
today. You can start by imagining the other readers across the
country who are also following these 7 Steps as a part of your
own special Dream Team.
Your dreams matter - they are key to living a vital, successful
and fulfilling life. Being living your dreams, right now!
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