Happy New Today

One Day equals One Life became my mantra at some point during 2009. We never really know what life is going to bring us from one day to the next so by living fully in today we can compartmentalize the life we truly want to have. For example, instead of declaring, "January 1, I am no longer going to yell at my children" (which was one of my goals last year and didn't even last a week), we could try:

 

"Okay, just for today, I'm going to try not to lose my patience because I really want to be that calm and strong presence that I know I am most of the time"

 

"Just for today, I'm not going to berate myself for my faults because I know I sink myself deeper into a hole whenever I engage in those types of thoughts"

 

"Just for today, I'm not going to eat any sugar or white flour because I want to see how my body responds."

 

"Just for today, I'm going to walk for 30 minutes because I can do that- I may not feel like it tomorrow, but just for today I know it will make me feel good and give me more energy throughout the day."

 

You get the idea.

 

By breaking our desires and goals down into mini-goals by day, versus the entire calendar year ahead of us, it can make things more manageable to achieve what we want to have. Like the Alcoholics Anonymous motto says, One day at a time.

 

            So, if your goals are to:

 

Have healthier relationships- ask yourself in the morning, what can you do today to make that happen? Is it to let go of the non-essentials in order to make time for a friend in need, or to spend more quality time with your partner at night? Or to spend more time with people who nurture and support your individual interests and dreams versus those toxic folks who tend to drain your energy whenever you're around them?

 

Gain independence in your life- perhaps this is through a job, a career, a course of study or even emotional independence from those you typically rely on to approve your every move. Ask yourself, what can you do today to make this happen and manifest that vision you desire? It could be that today simply requires a phone call to request a catalog in order to see what the requirements are for a bachelor's, master's or doctoral program, a foreign language course, a weekend workshop away, or a job to see if it speaks to you, even if it doesn't speak to another member of your inner circle.

 

To become a more spiritual person- what action can you take today to gain growth in this area? Is it reading inspirational books, taking time to pray each day in the morning, evening or both, refusing to engage in activity that no longer serves you whether it is addictive behavior such as drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sugar or even gossip? What resonates with you that helps you to be truer to yourself?

 

What are your specific goals and desires for 2010?

 

By choosing to stay in today only and focusing your energy on what actions and behaviors you need to make to help you feel better in mind, body and spirit it allows for a more realistic and less stressful approach. And if/when we regress or choose otherwise, we simply need to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off, get back on our  path and begin anew tomorrow.

 

For more information regarding the holistic counseling I use in my practice with women, parents and children, visit my website at www.JillSylvester.com

 

Here's to a Healthy and Happy January,

Jill