Resolutions for 2018
“Reach forward to what lies ahead.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita
Life seems to move at the speed of light, and we’ve now crossed over that bridge onto the other side of 2018.
A chance to begin anew.
Broken Resolutions
According to Psychology Today, approximately 50% of us make resolutions and they’re the same ones to get broken—year after year after year. The most popular ones are detailed in this NBC News article, and if you’re a statistics geek, you’ll love this top 10 rank of the most popular resolutions and the percentage who make them.
How bad is the wreckage of broken promises?
Pretty bad. The odds of keeping resolutions are stacked against us, according to U.S. News and 80% will fail by the first week of February.
How can we change things up?
How can we make this year different than last year and make resolutions that we actually keep?
Is this possible? A resounding YES!
This year my personal resolutions will take a 360º turn.
Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Read here on 10 Reasons Why.
[bctt tweet=”When we are more outward focused on others, instead of ourselves, we are gifting ourselves into the lives of other people.” username=”@PhilosBooks”]
When we bless, we become blessed in the form of joy and happiness from helping someone else.
“Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, a little more loving, and have a little more empathy, and maybe, next year at this time we’d like each other a little more.”
― Judy Garland
Be Instead of Do
We all talk about what we can DO. We talk less about just BEING.
I want to focus more on the internal than the external. The “be” instead of “do,” is going to be more of my focus this year.
How can you change your own inner person to be a shining light in this dark world?
Ponder your spirit. The part of you that makes that connection with others. Do you feel anxious, worried or depressed? Or at peace with yourself and others?
Daily I read my Bible, pray, meditate and write in my journal. This ritual can be quick or lengthy, but is rich in rewards.
“The kind of new beginnings that transform our lives are less about what we do in our lives, and more about what we deliver into the life of another.”
― Craig D. Lounsbrough
New Un-Resolutions
What follows are a few of my new resolutions, focusing on my character and how I can enrich the lives of others. Use these as a springboard for your own, and tweak them to suit you.
- Trust God.
Allow God to be God (since I’m definitely not) and put the things into His hands I can’t control.
2. Learn to Let Go.
Control what I can, pray about what I can’t and move on.
3. Don’t expect perfect.
I don’t expect perfection from everyone else, so I will forgive myself when I fall short—as I am bound to do.
4. Reach Out to Others.
To have a friend, you must first be a friend. Make a new friend. Share.
5. Be More Giving.
Without expecting anything in return. I will help someone often in my circle of influence.
6. Forgive.
Again, let go. Forgive those who have hurt me deeply. And forgive quickly.
7. Love Deeply.
Love and care for my family and friends. This could be our last day on earth together.
8. Increase in Wisdom.
Read my Bible. Study and learn God’s way of doing life.
9. Keep in Touch.
Reach out and write or call those who haven’t heard from me for awhile.
10. Learn Something New.
Choose one thing I’ve been wanting to know, and learn it! This helps me, but can also help others when I share the knowledge. And here are some other great ideas (if you need jumpstarted) that don’t involve losing weight.
Go Get ‘Em
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
~Benjamin Franklin”
Now enjoy your fresh start!
Leave a comment and let me know your resolutions. Have you changed them from last year? I’d love to hear from you!
Penelope Silvers is founder of PhilosBooks.com,
where Independent Authors are introduced to the World!
She is a freelance writer, publisher, and radio host of
Penelope’s Book Chat on Blog Talk Radio.
Great read… and haven’t we changed over the years? I used to be so driven, crafting resolutions that were life or death in my mind and forcing myself to achieve all my goals… at least to the very best of my abilities at the time.
I’m glad I did achieve everything I have, as I’m enjoying the benefits of that NOW, but I feel I also missed out on so much I could have enjoyed by allowing myself to BE, and to be in the present moment, not always looking towards the future before i would allow myself to play and have creative fun with my hobbies etc.
I’m wishing for you and your loved ones a wonder-filled year, from me and mine
Hello Helene! So good to see you here. We haven’t talked in an age! I love how you put this: “resolutions that were life or death in my mind.” That is so true! They did seem like something we had to achieve NO MATTER WHAT! Are we ripening and mellowing with age as the cream of what’s important in life is rising to the surface now? Your advice is so wise. Allow yourself to play and have some fun–along with the tasks. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year! 🙂