Secrets for Turning Resolutions into Realities, part 1
December 26, 2007
It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions. Many early religious traditions, including Christianity, used this time of year to reflect on past mistakes and set better intentions for the coming year. But no matter what time of year it is, you are still right there between your past and future — continuously learning from the past and creating the future. The middle of winter — the depth of the “death” season — provides the perfect setting and opportunity to reflect on what has been, and contemplate what is yet to come.
Humans are creatures of habit; we do what we are programmed or conditioned to do. Jesus said, “As a man thinketh, so it is done to him;” and we think about the things we see and hear and feel — unless we have incentive to think of something else. We are taught what to think; and then we do what we think about. We can program ourselves; or we can allow ourselves to be “programmed” by our environment — adopting the opinions and desires of others. Gandhi said:
“Our beliefs become our thoughts.
Our thoughts become our words.
Our words become our actions.
Our actions become our habits.
Our habits become our values.
Our values become our destiny.”
This is a sort of map for the teaching, “It is done to you according to your beliefs.” Your beliefs ultimately become your experience of life. Sadly, most people never come to fully appreciate what this means. You can change your life by simply changing your beliefs. Conversely, if you do not change your beliefs, you will not be able to maintain the charade of any temporary behavioral changes you might manage to make. In other words, if you don’t believe in what you have resolved to do, you will not think about it in such a way as to make it become a new reality; at best you will make temporary changes that may even rebound to become worse than before. We are all familiar with the phenomenon of losing weight with a diet or exercise plan, only to gain back what we lost — and then some!
In order to put adequate energy into a resolution, you simply need to believe in it. Believing is easier for some people than for others; most people seem to need incentive to believe something new, or even take the time to pray for it.
INCENTIVE
One of the first things you will need in order to experience the reality of your resolutions is incentive. What do you want? Why do you want it? What will it be like when you get it, or reach your goal? Why are you making this resolution for yourself and your life? You need to know the answer to at least one such question. Resolutions start with the desire for something new, or different. That desire came from your growing awareness of the difference between how things “are” and how they “can be.” If action is required on your part, you will probably need a reason, or incentive, for expending your energy. What, in other words, is in it for you?
The answer is simple: What is it you want? What’s in it is what you are asking for. The “payoff” for your energy expenditure, or efforts, is your goal or desire; because you shouldn’t do anything that you don’t believe is leading you in that direction. There should be no question that you are doing what you are doing so you can get where you want to be, or have what you want to have, or do what you want to do. So, what is it you want? This is your incentive; or it should be. If you need more incentive than simply reaching your goal, you should make a new resolution. Why do you want this thing? Is it worth doing anything you might have to do? If so, you have adequate incentive and your successful resolution is assured.
It is also important to identify whether your incentive is “positive,” or “negative.” Are you chasing something, or running away from something? In other words, are you exercising because you are afraid of how you’ll look if you don’t, or because you are excited about how you will look and feel when you do? Your incentive should be something you want, not something you don’t want. Seek health, for instance, rather than fighting, or running from, illness; and think “creatively” about money, rather than worrying about bills or debt. Put your thoughts — your mental energy — on what you wish to achieve, or accomplish; don’t give any of your valuable time or energy to what you don’t want — in any context.
Find a reason to reach your goal or resolution; and find a reason to spend time thinking about it — “As you thinketh…” As you think about “whatsoever you desire,” imagine how it will be to realize your dream, or fulfill your desire. This is your incentive; you are being pulled toward a feeling of completion, or fulfillment. It is important to clarify what you truly want to insure that you aren’t focusing on something you don’t want. For instance, if you hate exercising, don’t make a New Year’s resolution to start exercising if what you really want is to lose some weight. These are two different things.
Think about looking in the mirror and seeing yourself 20-pounds lighter and thinner; and take note of how you feel seeing yourself thinner. Now, think about starting an exercise program and notice how that makes you feel. I realize that you may think or believe that exercise is the only way to lose weight; but it isn’t. And the focus that makes you feel good is the proper focus — not the perspective that makes you feel weak or overwhelmed. If you are dreading your resolution, or getting started on your “new project,” then you have placed your focus in the wrong place and haven’t given yourself proper incentive to happily reach your objective.
Think about what you truly desire to change in your life. Whether it’s the start of a new year, or not, a resolution is a resolution; you can change any part of your life you choose — if you have a desire and the right incentive. “Whatsoever you desire, when you stand in prayer, believing, will be given to you.” If you truly want what you are hoping, praying, or resolving for the new year, then give your resolution the same attention you give your prayers, plans, or any area of your life where you are able to turn your thoughts into reality.
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