New Year Resolution: Do you have one?
Don't worry if you don't have; because even those who HAD, would most probably have already broken them. How does a resolution work? Before the beginning of every Yoga session, I ask the students to close their eyes and think of a positive resolution just for that specific session. It can be very personal ('I wish to improve my sleep'), it can be very profound ('I wish to see more peace in the world') or anything in between. I ask them to hold onto that resolution till the end of the session. Why?
Having an intention or resolution before a session helps them to psychologically fix their awareness to achieving that goal. For some, the ripples of that resolution (depending on how firmly they make the resolution in their mind) last till the end of the class. For some, till the end of the day and for a lucky few, the ripples last longer. It all depends on how intensely they wish to achieve their goal. Resolution increases their focused awareness towards achieving that goal (no matter how hard it is) or at least to work their best to achieve them. If a person’s resolution is to reduce belly fat, he unknowingly elevates his awareness towards achieving that goal from every practice he does. If another person’s resolution was to see more world peace, he cannot obviously create that. But he changes the way he reacts to external situations, he tries to spread more peace around him, he tries to create ripples of peace and love which definitely creates its own butterfly effect.
The problem with “New Year Resolution” is that its ripples are supposed to last for one YEAR – which is almost impractical. And most of the resolutions made are over-ambitious and "life-changing". Hence most of us end up failing by the middle of January itself. Better alternative is to have bite-sized, achievable, practical resolutions at the beginning of every day. Every day is a NEW BEGINNING. Every day should be celebrated with lot of love and joy! For instance, if your New Year Resolution was to “Eat Healthy in 2018”, break it into pieces and on a New Day morning, you could have a resolution to cook a nice healthy dinner today. Another day, you could have a resolution to not visit the bakery section of the supermarket when you shop. Another day, you could have a resolution to include more veg of different colors in your cart today. These are all achievable resolutions. And once in a while, indulge in your favorite delights – don’t be so hard on yourself.
At the end of the day, New Year Resolutions are supposed to make us a “better” person – more relaxed, happier and healthier person. But many times, these resolutions end up increasing our stress levels and just do the opposite effect on us. Hence, say “cheers” to New Day Resolutions. Here’s to health, happiness and peace – every DAY!
Don't worry if you don't have; because even those who HAD, would most probably have already broken them. How does a resolution work? Before the beginning of every Yoga session, I ask the students to close their eyes and think of a positive resolution just for that specific session. It can be very personal ('I wish to improve my sleep'), it can be very profound ('I wish to see more peace in the world') or anything in between. I ask them to hold onto that resolution till the end of the session. Why?
Having an intention or resolution before a session helps them to psychologically fix their awareness to achieving that goal. For some, the ripples of that resolution (depending on how firmly they make the resolution in their mind) last till the end of the class. For some, till the end of the day and for a lucky few, the ripples last longer. It all depends on how intensely they wish to achieve their goal. Resolution increases their focused awareness towards achieving that goal (no matter how hard it is) or at least to work their best to achieve them. If a person’s resolution is to reduce belly fat, he unknowingly elevates his awareness towards achieving that goal from every practice he does. If another person’s resolution was to see more world peace, he cannot obviously create that. But he changes the way he reacts to external situations, he tries to spread more peace around him, he tries to create ripples of peace and love which definitely creates its own butterfly effect.
The problem with “New Year Resolution” is that its ripples are supposed to last for one YEAR – which is almost impractical. And most of the resolutions made are over-ambitious and "life-changing". Hence most of us end up failing by the middle of January itself. Better alternative is to have bite-sized, achievable, practical resolutions at the beginning of every day. Every day is a NEW BEGINNING. Every day should be celebrated with lot of love and joy! For instance, if your New Year Resolution was to “Eat Healthy in 2018”, break it into pieces and on a New Day morning, you could have a resolution to cook a nice healthy dinner today. Another day, you could have a resolution to not visit the bakery section of the supermarket when you shop. Another day, you could have a resolution to include more veg of different colors in your cart today. These are all achievable resolutions. And once in a while, indulge in your favorite delights – don’t be so hard on yourself.
At the end of the day, New Year Resolutions are supposed to make us a “better” person – more relaxed, happier and healthier person. But many times, these resolutions end up increasing our stress levels and just do the opposite effect on us. Hence, say “cheers” to New Day Resolutions. Here’s to health, happiness and peace – every DAY!
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