New Year, New You

The next day after the New year can seem a bit of an anti-climax. Where are all the positive convictions, the 'yes let's do this attitude?'

It is important now to not fold and give up before you begin. Remember 'Rome was not built in one day'. For change to take place you need to have clear in your mind what kind of change you want.

The next step is to be realistic. Things are not going to change over-night (even though sometimes miracles do happen). You need to devise a plan. This does not have to be a long winded expedition. But why not get a piece of paper and a pen and write it all down.

Put an estimated time schedule to each point. Rearrange the list in order of priorities or in order of enjoyment. This does not have to be a slog, make it fun.

Give yourself rewards. Each time you accomplish something on your list give yourself either a well done by just acknowledging your accomplishments or by getting yourself a little token of appreciation.

Appreciate your endeavours, don't be-little your efforts. Baby steps are just as important as big steps.

Be careful not to divert your focus of interest to the 'others'. Hopefully, 'others' will see a difference in you which will make them act differently towards you. But be aware, this may not be the difference you necessarily would like. Change provokes uncertainty and insecurity, so you may be drawn into disagreements of all kinds.

Stay vigilant. Remind yourself that change takes endurance and self-conviction. Small steps, well earned breaks and lots of self-appreciation.

Always have the outcome at the forefront of your mind. It may not correspond to what we have learnt in the past that 'It is the journey that matters and not the destination'. The destination is all there is now.

If you are artistic draw how you want to be, where you want to be, how you want to be. If you are more a writer, write a story of where you see your
self, be as descriptive and expressive as your imagination will allow you to be.

If you are musically inclined, play music that fills you with inspiration. Does this music propel you forward? Does it transport you to your destination? If it does play it all the time, feel it, be it.

Do what makes sense to you. Enjoy the journey as well though. Notice who is with you on this journey, appreciate their contribution to your life, in whichever way it manifests.

Most importantly, love, love and love some more. For at the end of the day, that is what truly matters. What fun would it be if we arrived at our destination and found that we were there alone and loveless?

'No man is an Island' but we need to explore our own Island before we can make it habitable to share with others!