| I have decidedly
ambivalent feelings about New Year’s resolutions. On
one hand, I seriously doubt that many of them last much past
the beginning of February.
Unfortunately, many people use their New Year’s resolutions
for a new start on old habits. On the other hand, I must
have absorbed some of the traditions surrounding the new
year as it is celebrated in Japan, during our four-year
stay there. Every corner of the house was cleaned until
it shone, all debts had to be paid and for everything you
did on New Year’s Day, you put forth your very best
effort, since the new year represented a new beginning ...
a fresh start.
I do like the idea that no matter what our past mistakes,
everyone is entitled to a fresh start. After all, January
was named for the Roman god, Janus, who had two heads; one
to look back at the year past and one to look forward to
the new year. So if you are determined to get rid of some
bad habits or just hope to be a better person in 2010, the
Center for Health Promotion has some suggestions:
1. Make a plan and set goals that are realistic, manageable
and measurable.
2. When setting goals, be mindful of all the other things
in your life that you will need to balance.
3. Don’t expect too much too soon and set reasonable
targets.
4. What obstacles are in the way? How will you deal with
them?
5. A support system can help you stick to your plan.
6. Don’t forget the power of positive thinking.
7. Expect bumps in the road and use them to learn. A blip
here and there doesn’t mean you can’t reach
your goal.
8. Remember, change occurs gradually, and setbacks are
to be expected. They are part of the change process.
Seek expert advice and help.
It is worth trying to be the best you can be every day.
As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Wishing you a new year in which your wise choices become
regular habits that result in good health and happiness.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
