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Saturday, January 11, 2014

I Resolve To...


Wow! It's been awhile since my last post.  Taking time off from blogging to focus on my cookbook was a difficult, but much needed decision.  The book is in the final stages of editing and adding photos, so I am back and ready to share ideas, goals and recipes.

With a New Year upon us, many people experience different feelings.  Some feel relieved, energized, renewed, while others feel stressed or depressed.  The cause of such feelings are often linked to the long standing tradition of New Year resolutions. Many view the resolutions as a fresh start, but for some, those same resolutions create anxiety.  Resolutions can be fun and jump start people in the right direction, but all to often this is a short lived "high", and this is where the anxiety comes in.  No one wants to think of themselves as quitters or failures.   Not completing or sticking to a resolution can lead to these negative views of ones self and this does not do anyone any good.

The problem I find is that people usually make unrealistic resolutions.  Their intention is all well and good, but they are setting themselves up for potentially disappointing results. Now I agree that if you don't try something you'll never know if you can accomplish it or not.  However, I also agree that when setting a challenging resolution you also need to prepare your mind for that challenge.  In preparing mentally, you increase your chance of completion and maintenance of the resolution and also strengthen the psyche to accept when we fall short of that same resolution.  In this instance, we also increase the chance of getting back on our feet to try again.  Preparing mentally can happen in a number of ways.  For me, the best way is by practicing meditation.  Meditation can be challenging in and of itself.  If you find it challenging, or are new to the concept, start out with just a few minutes every day.  Here are some tips to get you started…

1.  Pick a time and quite place to practice.
2.  Be comfortable. This may mean wearing comfy clothing, sitting on a mediation cushion or folded blanket.
3.  Allow yourself fresh oxygen simply by sitting up nice and tall, no slouching :)
4.  Decide if soft playing music or instrumentals will help, test it out.
5.  Determine if having your eyes closed or having them open and focusing on an object is better, test it out.  Some people like to focus on the flame of a burning candle.
6.  Set a meditative goal.  Start with just 2 minutes.
7.  Use a soft, peaceful timer so that you're not constantly looking at the clock.  There are a number of free apps on the phone or computer you can use.
8.  Some people like to empty the mind of all thoughts, while others like to focus on a single idea.  In the case of the latter, focus on your resolution and envision yourself completing and maintaining that resolution.
9.  Once you're comfortable with your meditative goal, try increasing the time little by little.

In addition to mentally preparing yourself for your resolution there are a number of other things you can do in setting yourself up for success.  DO NOT attempt more than one resolution at a time.  If you want to quit smoking and change your eating habits, pick one to start with and then, more likely than not, the other will naturally fall into place due to your new healthy habit.  Also, reinvent the labeling of your resolution.  The word itself can conjure up all sorts of negative images and doubt.  Empower yourself by stating "I resolve to…" instead of "my resolution is…".  By changing how you refer to the resolution may seem silly, but go ahead and try the two scenario's and see which one makes you feel empowered to the change and which one makes you feel like your just hoping. Finally, look at the resolution as a goal in your life style adjustment, rather than a temporary aim that, upon completion, is forgotten.  For instance, if you want to change your eating habits, don't think that once you drop a few pounds you can immediately go back to the way you used to eat.  When this happens, we initially feel elated, but then the weight comes back and we feel defeated.   By viewing this type of resolution as a lifestyle adjustment you are more likely to reach and maintain that goal.

At the top of most peoples resolution list is health and that typically has to do with our eating habits.  So, stay tuned for my next post, "Kitchen Revamped", where I'll discuss some helpful ways to accomplish this goal.