Hope Is Not A Plan

The new year arrives. We can look at it as a white canvas and cover it with a palate of promises. We will do “X” better, we will try “Y”, we acknowledge “Z” in ourselves. Then the weeks unfold into months and we chastise ourselves for falling into old habits. All too familiar?

What can make this years’ resolutions “stick”? How do we make a plan that is more than hope?

So much has been negatively written about New Years Resolutions. They are the subject of many jokes. It makes me wonder if we truly want the changes we name. Perhaps the starting point is to ask ourselves, “what is the truth of our resolution” ? Does it come from our own desire for change? Or is it imposed on us by our conditioning? Is the goal too lofty?

Is the goal within reach? What choices will help us reach it? What supports us?

Small steps. One moment at time. We cannot lose 10 lbs. in a day, a week or maybe even in a month. But we can pass up that cookie, latte, or second piece of pie right now. All of what we do (or don’t do) can be achieved by being present in this moment. Honoring the truth of what is best for us in this moment only. We must learn to celebrate these moments of achievement and congratulate ourselves. Learning to notice when we choose wisely and step closer to what we truly know is best for us will support us in reaching our goals.

How to create new habits? What is the gift in forming new habits?

We can begin by listening to the inner knowing. It always gives us the truth. The truth of what is best for us now. Accepting this “knowing” we can move forward creating new habits that serve us in a healthy and sustaining way. The gift we receive is the peace that comes with choices that are best for us. Making the choice, in every moment, to reach our “goal” becomes a new habit; that is Hope with a Plan!