Reflections

New Year's Resolution. Here's Wikipedia's definition:

A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. More socio-centric examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more economically or environmentally responsible.

I have never heard of New Year's resolution until I came to live in North America. When I was at school in Michigan (High school & school of Nursing), I "went with the flow" as my friends, teachers, etc. made their list of resolutions. The annual habit did not stay with me but lately my lifestyle has changed significantly; I call it living the good life.

Here are some of my reflections on living the good life:

• Feeding my spirit. A lot of self-nurturing activities (without guilt) like drinking a cup of the latest green tea flavor while reading a book or having lunch with a friend.
  
• Giving thanks. I have a "Gratitude Journal" where I write at least 5 things I'm grateful for per day. It has increased my awareness of the good things in my life. God is generous.
  
• Getting creative. This is not about arts & crafts. It's doing something...something that allows me to have a 'quiet time'...to turn down the 'head noise':Like gardening.
• Getting more energy. Yes, I love my ZZZZZs- no alarm clocks- just letting the circadian rhythm do its thing. I'm eating more foods that give the least amount of allergy-induced symptoms. An afternoon meditation or a nap to decrease the cortisol (stress hormone) level.
  
• Expanding my horizons. So, I thought I'd just jump right into learning something new such as taking an online course, creating this blog and organizing photos for my bicycle group in an internet website called Flickr.
  
• Making fitness fun. Gardening, bicycling, hiking, besides my rebounder, lateral stepper, aerobics, Pilates, Qi Gong and the latest-an anti aging workout system by Judith Sherman Wolin's Muscle Your Way Through Menopause and Beyond. I love it. Slight OCD in this department because I can get bored easily.
  
• Minimizing my environmental impact. Well, there's plenty of organic gardening activities around here. I have let go of a lot of clutter when we downsized but this is a lifetime project; one cannot be creative without any clutter. I am discovering places to get organic and sustainably made products. I'm trying to increase my awareness & involvement. Check out Environmental Defence. Another lifetime project.

Another year, another opportunity to improve myself to be the best that I can be; my lifetime journey.