This is the first post of the new year, I believe! It's funny, the very second each new year hits, I automatically feel more motivated to work on things. Not that that is all bad, but what is it that makes people want to start off with a clean slate for a new year? Why can't we feel like this at the beginning of every month, or every week, or day? Thank goodness it at least happens to me at least once a year instead of once every ten years. 2011 is not an even number.
I am definitely one of those people who makes New Year Resolutions. And I do a fair job at endeavoring to keep them, but the effort in essence hasn't become a habit, so therefore, I falter right along with the February crowd. Every year.
Supposedly, it only takes twenty-one days to form a habit. Well... habits aren't necessarily lifestyles, are they? I think it takes a bit more than just twenty-one days to form a lifestyle.
And, in a nutshell, that is what I'm about this year in particular - I'm out to create a better lifestyle, made up of better habits. But I'm pretty sure it all starts with your attitude. If your attitude is in the right place, so will your motivation and determination, and consequently, you'll accomplish what you want.
For me, the biggest thing I want to start doing (for life) is living what I believe. I'm such a good talker... I'm so good in fact, that I'm hypocritical. I know exactly what I need to do, but while I'm preaching it, I'll be doing the opposite! So, starting now, I'm trying to do what I believe. It really does take courage.
I am including the classic lose weight/exercise more combo also. I still have baby weight to lose, and it's not going anywhere unless I make it! This stuff takes honesty too - brutal, unforgiving honesty. Still working on the exercise end, but the eating better is going alright so far. I bought a jump rope after I learned that you can burn up to about 500 calories if you jump rope for a straight hour. It was only $3, so I haven't really wasted any money by neglecting to use it yet. But I should start soon. I watched some YouTube videos of some crazy jump roping to psych me up.
In general, what I want is to learn how to be balanced and consistent and hard-working. Those three things will help me in my struggles right now; I'll become a much better woman as a result of diligently working on them. Along with pursuing a better spiritual life (I'll get into that next.) I think I tend to gravitate toward extremes, and when that happens, I'll go go go for one big burst and then crash like it never happened. So I want to be more consistent in how I'm doing things. I think the key with me is to make goals that are easily achievable and work from there.
On the spiritual end, I'm trying to keep my prayer rule. I want to be reading more Scripture, lives of the saints, and teachings of the Church Fathers, and I'm going to start meeting regularly with my priest to talk. I definitely need accountability and some direction from a priest.
So, I think I'm on the right track!
Some things I've realized make me feel best are:
* Doing something for Caleb every day
* Doing something for me every day: something I love or want to do
* Working around the house somehow every day
* Doing a good job taking care of Cillian every day
* Play piano a little every day
* Pray every day
* Eat right and do something active every day
There are many others, but those are the main ones that make me feel like I'm being a worthy wife and mother, and just a good human being.
So, all of that said - I hope you make it a point to start better lifestyles and not be so wrapped up in starting new habits! I think new and improved habits are good, but they only get you so far. If your attitude is willing, you can create any lifestyle you can dream of.
Happy New Year, folks! May it be a wonderful 2011 for all of you!
Here's the first Quote of the Day for the new year, from the 2011 Orthodox Daily Calendar:
"He who is not submissive in his talk will certainly not be so in what he does. To be unfaithful in the small things is to be unfaithful in the great, and this is very hard to bring under control."
~ St. John Climacus
