A New Year, A New Approach

 by Mary Jo Wehniainen

It’s the start of a new year, and you’ve probably already made a list of the things you’re going to change, do better, or stop doing altogether….

Lose weight

Get organized

Eat healthy

Spend more time with family

Stop smoking

Exercise

Be more productive at work, etc.

Sound familiar?

If you’re like most people, I’m sure it does. In fact, I’ve chosen a few on the list myself this year.

I’d like to propose a different "twist" to the traditional resolution ritual. Rather than focusing all your attention on what you’re going to do, not do, and/or change this New Year, be sure to spend at least as much time reflecting on all the things you have to be thankful for.

I began this project without giving it a lot of thought. It was a few days before the end of the year, and I was feeling a little blue. All of a sudden things I’d almost forgotten about from the prior year began to come to mind, and I intuitively knew I should write them down.

It was amazing what happened! The list began to grow as thoughts came to mind, and thankfulness returned to my heart.

The items on my list were things like:

*The last of our five children was finally completely potty-trained.

*Our youngest son made great strides with his speech.

*Four rooms in our home were completely redecorated

*We found a new home for our dog

*We landscaped our backyard, and planted a vegetable garden that produced just the right amount of tomatoes all summer long.

*One of our sons finally decided he loves to read

*Our oldest daughter caught butterflies all summer long and let them fly around our porch.

*Our three youngest children became much better swimmers.

*I learned some new skills/tricks on the internet that were totally foreign to me a year ago ……..

*I was able to take a month long vacation with my two oldest sons

*and about a hundred more!

I think you get the idea. A list of very important things that I could have almost forgotten as I was in such a hurry to make my New Year’s Resolutions.

There are innumerable things each day that we can all be thankful for.

Take an hour or two to write down all the things you can think of to "celebrate" from last year. (Include everything, no matter how small.) After you’ve finished writing all that comes to your mind in one setting, keep your list handy because I’m sure you’ll think of others. Reread the list several times and your heart will begin to smile with a sense of gratitude. In fact, keep it close by so you can read it in the future. It’s a great reminder of the truly important things in life.

As for the upcoming year, I ask that no matter what your New Year’s resolutions are, you add just one more to the list. Whether written down on paper or reflected upon as you lie in bed each evening, recall all the things you have to be thankful for that day. A minimum of ten, but more is even better!

If you add this simple ritual to your life, I guarantee you’ll see transformation in many areas … even those you were formerly struggling with!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." From "Gratitude: Affirming the Good Things in Life" by Melody Beattie.

Along with the wonderful possibilities of a brand new year, I wish you a heart overflowing with gratitude!

Enjoy every minute …..