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New Years
Resolutions that Last
by
Kaitlyn
Ah, the holiday
season. This is the time where we all come together and show our
appreciation for our friends and family, give gifts and thanks and of course
eat lots of food. Thanksgiving, traditionally, is the day where we stuff
ourselves into oblivion and then roll our bulging bodies back home and into
bed. This is the day when aunts and uncles try to get you to finish the rest
of the butter and gravy smothered mashed potatoes so they can go wash the
bowl. There’s nothing quite like the holiday season.
I
got to thinking about this time of year and what it signifies. Of course
it is a day to look back and be thankful for all of the good times we’ve had
in the past year. But for many, including myself, it’s a time to look
forward to a brand new year, a fresh start, and a new beginning. This
inevitably brings the age-old question to everyone’s mind: what’s your
New Year’s resolution? The idea of a clean slate is appealing to most
people – a time to forget all the times before and start a new year off
right. This year I’m going to eat right; this year I’m going to be a better
friend; this year I’m going to run fifty miles a week. This year it’s all
going to be different. It’s amazing how this idea of a new beginning can
motivate people to do their boldest goals and accomplish things they’ve
always dreamed of doing.
Back at
home I was a member of a gym and every week I would go to a yoga class
instructed by a friend’s mom. I had been going to this class for about five
months and it was my favorite time of the week. After the New Year, my quiet
class that was usually no more than about six people, all of a sudden had
about twenty-five people squished into this small space; I had to fight for
a spot on the floor. I was trying to figure out what was going on and it
suddenly occurred to me: New Year’s resolutions. Most of these people had
just signed up for a gym membership. The funny thing was that after about a
month, this yoga class went down from twenty-five to about fifteen to ten
and then five. People had lost their motivation to go to the gym. Too much
work, not enough time, too tired to go, loss of motivation. What happened to
“this year it’s going to be different?” What happened to the eagerness
and excitement of the possibility of fulfilling one’s goals and dreams?
We
lose sight of our reasons for accomplishing our goals. They are
different yet equally important for everyone and sometimes we need to be
reminded of these reasons. Of course you want to lose weight, but why? Sure
you want to complete a triathlon, but why? When I write down all of the
reasons for why I want to finish what I’ve started, I see that there is no
reason in the world that says I shouldn’t keep going. When I see results, it
just adds another log to the fire and makes me want to see it through.
Whatever works for you to keep you going and to remind you of why you’re
doing what you’re doing, then do it; even something as simple as posting a
picture of your kids on your fridge can show you that you’re not just doing
this for yourself, but also for others in your life. I knew someone that
kept a picture of himself when he was sixty pounds heavier in his wallet to
remind himself of how far he had come and the reasons he didn’t want to go
back. I also know someone that wrote down a list of fifty things she wanted
to accomplish in her life and now keeps it posted on her wall to remind her
that she’s got to get a move on if she wants to get these things done. If
you remember why you want to do accomplish your goal, you can succeed.
Thank
you to all those you sent me wonderful emails. I love them all and I truly
appreciate those who took the time to give me the support.
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