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| Pic by Jannoon 028 |
Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits. ~ Anonymous
2011 is coming to an end, and I will NOT be making any new
resolutions. Instead, I have to work on the old ones I have yet to master. I
figure if politicians can have ‘continuing resolutions,’ so can I.
I’m reading a book by Psychologist, Irvin D
Yalom; Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the
Terror of Death.
In the book, Yalom discusses Schopenhauer’s concept of “eternal
return;” in which he poses this question: Suppose a person could live their
entire life again and again, ad infinitum; would they live it differently? Can
the person say they have lived a full life? Etc…
So this New Year, I’m posing this question to my own life
and asking; ‘If I was to live 2011 all over again, would I change anything? Or
was it a year well lived?
Over the past several years, I have been working on certain ‘life
themes’ to better myself and to live a full life. Below, I have prioritized 7 of
them that I continue to master. I’m bringing these 7 ‘continuing resolutions’
into the New Year and they are:
Live graciously: I
will be gracious to people who irritate me; especially the drivers who cut me
off or don’t let me merge, on my morning commute. And for the rude and
discourteous people I come into contact with.
I’ll make it a point not let the person’s actions poison my mood; I’ll let
it go, smile and move on.
Connect with
curiosity: I will make connections with old friends and make new acquaintances.
I will foster curiosity and learn something new about them; even people I have known
along time. This year I will
make connections with people, not because I
have to but because I want to. In this way, our time together will be meaningful
and one of genuine care and curiosity.
Lighten up: I will
decrease listening to news and talk radio and spend time living in the moment. I’ll
listen to music or sports or comedy shows. I will spend more time with people who don’t take life so seriously, and are not angry ideologues. I will not be
hanging out with folks who are occupying Wall Street or any other street for
that matter.
Listen more and talk
less: I will listen more and talk less. I will do this by practicing ‘empathic
listening.’ I will begin with my boys, and understand their hopes and dreams,
without imposing my dreams on them. I will empathically listen to people who
have a different point of view, and see life through their eyes.
Laugh more: We
all need to chill out and laugh more; I
will find ways to laugh more this year; whether through movies, TV shows or just
sharing laughter with others.
Attend church and actually
learn: I will listen to my pastor’s sermons and actually learn from him,
instead of critiquing what he says. I will turn off my ‘pastor/teacher’ default
button, and become an active learner. I will enjoy the fellowship of my faith
community and get to know my brothers and sisters in church.
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