People constantly make New Year’s Resolutions such as:

• Lose seventeen pounds
• Run three miles, four days a week
• Bring their significant other flowers once a month—just because
• Spend less time at work on personal emails
• Sort through the piles of papers in their junk room

Despite the fact that most of us failed to accomplish even one of last years New Year’s Resolutions, we each hold the faith that this year will be different; these will be the resolutions that stick.  Although we’re sincere with our intentions, all of us are guilty of missing the most important element in making a lasting resolution; we fail to come to peace with who we really are.

    We must look ourselves in the mirror and truly see ourselves.
    Do we love the woman in the mirror?

    If we don’t, what will it matter if we shed those pounds, run our weekly miles, surprise our loved one with flowers, address personal emails once home or become more organized?  If whom we see in the mirror is not a true reflection of our desired self, none of these matter.

    How many of us actually know who we are?  Do we value ourselves purely by what we get accomplished in a day or how we serve others?  How can we serve others and be most productive, if we are not at peace with who we are?

    What about ourselves?  When was the last time we took an hour or two, completely alone, to treat the child within us? When was the last time we walked a tree-canopied street, hiked a wilderness trail, headed to Starbucks and curled up with a good book over a steaming cup of java or went to Michael’s and bought acrylic paint for that craft we’ve been meaning to make.  These are all amazingly simple tasks, which most of us never take the time to treat ourselves to. 

    This “Me Date” is singularly the most important thing we can do for ourselves, for it begins to teach us that we matter and we are important.  It builds our self-confidence.  Engaging in this Me Date, without anyone else, forces us to take a closer look at what we need and at ourselves. Perhaps we’re seeking inner peace, harmony with our universe or acceptance of ourselves.  With our self-worth and confidence empowered, we can succeed at anything we set our minds to.

    Make this year’s resolution different; make it the one that sticks.  My challenge to you is simple.  Treat yourself to a Me Date once a week.  Keep this up for three months and you’ll begin to see door after door readily open for you.  Don’t be surprised if you begin planning more than one of these dates per week.  As you begin to feel empowered and extraordinary, the world around you will literally become your oyster.  You’ll be more motivated to achieve those resolutions you set for yourself and perhaps even create new ones.  Go ahead; try it.  What do you have to lose?  After all, if you fail, there’s always next year’s New Year’s Resolution.    

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia