New Year's Resolutions

Every year, many of us make New Year's Resolutions, which at the time we make them, most of us are being sincere. But, what happens? Have you broken any of your resolutions yet? If you have not, you are probably in the minority.

New Year's resolutions are very similar to "atoning for our sins." We are most sincere when we ask forgiveness, but most of us continue to commit transgressions. In the Jewish religion, perhaps realizing man's weaknesses, the high holiday of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) is dedicated to the realization that we have transgressed and hoping that we begin the new year fresh. The high holiday of Yom Kippur (the Day of Attonement, which follows shortly after Rosh Hashanah in the Jewish calendar) is a period when the Jewish people basically tell G-d that they know they have transgressed, and please forgive that, and that they know they will once again have failings, and please forgive that, in advance.

We make New Year's resolutions because it basically makes us feel good. It gives us hope that we will positively address our shortcomings during the next year. Most people make these resolutions in earnest, whether it be to be a better parent, friend, child or spouse; be more responsible; lose weight; break a bad habit; etc. And we begin the year, with actually addressing these issues that, at least at the moment we made the resolutions, seemed important to us. However, then reality comes into play.

We say we want to lose weight, and begin the new year on some sort of weight reduction program, only to have either lack of time, everyday stress, extraordinary circumstances, or human weakness take over, and we revert to our habits that originally caused the condition that we now want to overcome! We want to be more patient, and then something "sets us off," and we once again revert to our previous ways. We want to, in some other way, be a better person this year, but, for most of us, we eventually revert to kind.

So, what's the solution? One could stop making resolutions, but that would me to not set goals to attempt to attain. Some achieve their resolutions, or at least part of them, so not making resolutions would seem self- defeating. I believe that what we should do is set short- term, intermediate- term, and long- term goals, but instead of merely making resolutions, create a plan, a flow sheet, a manner of realistically accomplishing the goals. Positive reinforcement and imagery is most helpful, and one of the best ways to accomplish a goal is to use "affirmation" methods, positive visualization (even implementing putting pictures on your refrigerator that positively motivates you), and wording the goals or resolutions, to achieve to the maximum.

A wise man said, "As I think I am," and positive thinking, and looking at something you want to change as a challenge instead of a problem, is a major first step! Don't be concerned if you have already broken some resolutions. If it's important to you, you can rededicate yourself to accomplishing the task. The first step is to realistically look at the situation, and at yourself, and come up with a plan. Motivational speakers often say, "Whatever the mind of man can perceive and conceive, it can achieve." You can do it!