| New Years Resolutions: Making them is a | | | | people are happy to be of assistance.Cut down |
| tradition -keeping of them is usually | | | | on compulsive buying: Shopping has become a |
| optional. That's unfortunate, because some of | | | | sport in this country and credit card debt is |
| the pledges we make in those moments before | | | | hitting an all time high. Before you break |
| the calendar changes are wonderful things to | | | | out your plastic to get that new Prada |
| aspire to - spending more time with our | | | | handbag ask yourself - do I really need this? |
| children, exercising regularly, stopping a | | | | Will this improve my life? Is this "thing" |
| bad habit like smoking - or considering | | | | worth the time I will have to put in working |
| chocolate one of the main food groups. Yet, | | | | in order to pay for it? If the answer is no |
| this is the one time of the year that it's | | | | then don't buy it.Relinquish some control: |
| condoned - almost expected - that we don't | | | | You can't speed up the driver in front of |
| follow through on our promises.But what if we | | | | you, make the check out line at the |
| did follow through? What if we could make a | | | | supermarket move more efficiently, or govern |
| resolution that changed our lives for the | | | | the happiness of others. Just let it go. Take |
| better? What if we made a tiny adjustment in | | | | some deep breathes in traffic, practice your |
| our perspective and it allowed us to be | | | | Kegel Exercise while waiting at the grocery |
| happier, feel freer, and enjoy a more mindful | | | | store, and lead your life with integrity. |
| existence?Well, get ready to make a | | | | Don't carry the weight of the world on your |
| commitment - it's as easy as embracing the | | | | shoulders - it's too heavy.Reduce decisions: |
| idea of simplicity. Yes, simplicity.The start | | | | While having a choice is a good thing, too |
| of the New Year is the perfect time to make | | | | many options can be overwhelming. Whether |
| some changes. Resolve to get back to basics. | | | | you are contemplation a major purchase, or |
| I'm not advocating a cabin in the woods with | | | | deciding what to cook for dinner, limit your |
| no heat or electricity, just a small step to | | | | self to two options. Choose one, then be |
| the left of the consumer frenzy. Where do you | | | | happy with your decision - second guessing |
| start? Right at home in your own headspace - | | | | never helped anyone.Enjoy the little things |
| by making a conscious decision that your time | | | | in life: Read a book, take a walk, have a |
| and daily experiences are more important than | | | | bubble-bath, start a snowball fight with your |
| money and stuff.Reduce your clutter: Unless | | | | kids, eat together as a family at the kitchen |
| you use it regularly, or it holds a high | | | | table, garden, snuggle, pursue a hobby, |
| degree of sentimental value, it should go. | | | | listen to music, write a letter, meditate, |
| Choose a charity and schedule a pick up. Just | | | | and follow your passions. Partake in everyday |
| think of how much easier your house will be | | | | pleasures - all the things that don't entail |
| to clean, and how much easier it will be to | | | | shopping, spending, or crowds - and spend |
| find things once you've thinned out your | | | | quality time with the ones you love.Living |
| belongings.Decrease distractions: Cell | | | | simply is not about depravation; it's about |
| phones, voice mail, two-way walkie-talkies, | | | | living well. Our lives are complicated, in |
| online instant messenger, and palm pilots are | | | | part, because we make them that way. Resolve |
| all tools created for convenience. Left | | | | to make 2005 the year of simplicity, and |
| unchecked, however, they can start running | | | | greet the coming months with a relaxed and |
| your life. Be sure your not becoming a slave | | | | peaceful spirit.Deborah Martin is a Chicago |
| to advanced technology. Oh, and turn off | | | | born writer, life coach, and motivational |
| that darn TV too.Learn to say "no": This tiny | | | | speaker. She is Co-Founder of The Woman |
| two-letter word is your best defense against | | | | Project. Deborah holds a master's degree in |
| becoming overextended. Start using it - no | | | | psychology and is a licensed professional |
| one will think any less of you if you | | | | counselor. She is a certified teleclass |
| do.Learn to say "yes" when others offer help: | | | | leader and offers teleclasses and workshops |
| Stop with the Superwoman fallacy. There is no | | | | on a variety of subjects. Her new e-book, How |
| harm in accepting help when offered, or even | | | | To Keep Your Kids Off Drugs: A Parent's |
| in asking for it when needed. In fact, most | | | | Guide, will be available in January. |