New Year's Resolutions - Encouragement & Reminders

As I said my  2018 new year's resolution was to continue to 'go with the flow'.

Going with the flow is both, an acceptance of 'it's like this now' and activity (what is my best response?). So, accept, then act wisely. Acceptance is to take the path of least resistance - to  go with the flow. It involves accepting 'what is' without judgement, rejection or blame.  As Eckhart Tolle says "Accept - then act. Whatever the present moment contains accept it as if you had chosen it. this will miraculously transform your whole life" 

So I had a chance to put this acceptance into practice yesterday as I sat down to write this blog on resolutions and goals.

I sat for ages with lots written and not much clarity and no blog!! I eventually accepted my muddle and that the blog was not a happening thing that afternoon! Following acceptance I decided on action, to take the path of less resistance - a walk to the greengrocer! 


On my walk I thought about some of the unhelpful habits (or friendly reminders) which hinder me from working at and realising my resolutions or goals. For me these include...

• Choosing too many things to work on or include. Instead choosing one or two at a time. I choose Gratitude, a great place to start!
• Forgetting. Instead I will think of ways to remember and tonbe awake!
• Self-judgement and criticism. Instead of allowing that self critical task master to be in charge I will remember to power up that kind encouraging friend.
• Going in too big! Instead of having unrealistic expectations of myself and others I will set myself achievable goals and remember to rejoice when I achieve them.   
• Focusing on outer attainments - the end achievement rather than the ongoing feeling I would like to experience.
• Thinking it is all about willpower. Instead remembering to also include, setting goals that excite or motivate me and  a conducive environment to facilitate them. 
• Overcomplicating things. Instead remembering 'simple is best'!

So at the risk of attempting to cover all these unhelpful things in the one blog I decided to focus the next few blogs on these 7 things. 

The woman who served me at the greengrocer gave me the opportunity to address the first two!  Namely, choosing one thing to work on and secondly remembering. She had a small tattoo on her forearm. I saw the tattoo and I watched my anti-tattoo reaction and judgement and then I read the tattoo. It read 'Gratitude'. I commented 'what a beautiful reminder to be grateful'. ''That is exactly what everyone says' she replied. She went on to add she had got the tattoo, on her mother's birthday last year, to remind her to be grateful to her.

Now I am not advocating getting a tattoo, nor am I anti-tattoo's - each to their own. But, I am reminded how useful it is to have things which remind us of resolutions, goals or new habits we want to cultivate. 

So I realised I simply needed to write this blog related to the first of my resolutions - to be grateful. And to think of some ways to remember to be grateful. As you may know these last blogs have all been on gratitude and some ways we can start a gratitude practice and remember to be grateful.

As we have explored a daily gratitude practice has many benefits to our happiness and peace of mind. I encourage you to think of some helpful ways to remember to be grateful and to practice gratitude.
For me these include...

Keeping a daily gratitude journal
Eating mindfully and with gratitude. 
You may want to say internally or aloud a simple prayer of gratitude before eating. Here are some suggestions..


For the meal we are about to eat,
for those that made it possible,
and for those with whom we are about to share it,
we are thankful.
     – From the humanist benediction


In this plate of food, I see the entire universe supporting my existence.     – Zen blessing from Thich Nhat Hanh
We receive this food in gratitude to all beings
Who have helped to bring it to our table,
And vow to respond in turn to those in need
With wisdom and compassion.
     – Buddhist Meal Gatha
POM Craftivist reminders including

• 'Feeling grateful' pyjamas. - maybe you have received some of these from your wacky POM Craftivist Godmother, Friend or Auntie 'Ree
• A POM tea-towel or hankie with a gratitude message on it. I put these in the Christmas Bon Bon's this Christmas  - some family members were a little less than thrilled!

Jewellery

• My bluebird of happiness broach/pendant which my grandma gave my mum and my mum gave me
• A beeping watch or hourly alarm to remind me of gratitude.

Fridge Magnets or desk or pin-board reminders 


Other helpful reminder practices 

• Inhale love, exhale gratitude 
• A 'Thank you' mantra to all including me! 

I am sure you can think of many other useful reminders. I would love you to share them with me so I can share them next blog.
We will explore some more of the obstacles that may hinder realising resolutions or goals over the next few blogs.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Gratitude, Kind Regards and Best Wishes, 
Maree xx ​