What do you wish would change in your life? Well, we know that you can't change other people, and we've heard many times that
you should be the change you want to see in others. But, because we are usually our own worst critics, changing ourselves can seem daunting.
This New Year, instead of working up more stress over resolutions, try a new self-improvement exercise by identifying one change that will make the biggest difference.
If you are the type to become overwhelmed by too many choices, ideas or goals, take a (baby) step back from your previous list of goals to determine what's most important now.
Don't worry about the other promises you made to yourself last year—losing weight, getting more organized, finding the love of your life. Just identify where in your emotional constellation you are now and how you want to feel going forward. Would it be to feel healthy in your body, clear headed or loved, for example?
Using an emotional energy clearing meditation such as a
nature meditation can help you to identify the feeling state you most desire at this point in your life that would make the biggest difference to your health and well being.
Because one thing is connected to every other thing—mind is connected to body, earth is connected to sky and yin is connected to yang, — focusing on just one change, even for
just one minute out of the day helps every other area of your life fall into alignment.
Here are some exercises for finding that one thing that matters and bringing it into focus:
That One-derful Feeling
Make a list of ways you like to feel, like joyful, elated, productive, successful, secure. Then write down what you were doing or who you were with when you felt that way. Were you giving a talk on your latest research, teaching a class, learning a new language, knitting a sweater? These are all clues to where you find fulfillment.
Find what makes you feel your best then do more of it in the coming year.
Stop Talking and Start Doing
Do you have a hard time choosing just one thing? Pick that one thing you've always wondered how it would be to do it or be it and just go for it. Maybe it's acting, or launching a startup company, or cooking more homemade meals. So what if you fail, mess up or have to start over. Every great feat or work of art at first took prototypes, sketches, rehearsal or practice, practice, practice.
Time's a tickin,' but time spent pursuing your dreams is never wasted.
One Conversation at a Time
If you talk out or replay negative conversations in your head, trying to change the outcome, and practice only conversing with yourself. Practice being the only voice in your head. It can be very challenging when you find yourself "talking back" to a remembered exchange or painful experience. But with practice you can find the "peace and quiet" you need to hear the voice of your true calling.
When you are focused and single-minded, you can hear your own thoughts without interference and plan your future with optimism and confidence.
So, if you're going to make any change at all, vow to pick just one thing to work on this year and pursue it with all your heart and soul. Your mind and body will thank you.