Dedicated to Inspired Expressions of Life's Energy
Making Lasting Resolutions By Bob Reber
Nature's Pathways - January 2012
Lillies
The New Year for many brings about a time of resolution and looking at the things they want to change in their lives.That’s a positive way to approach the beginning of a year; filled with hope and renewed vigor to adjust the areas that you feel need adjusting. There are others that look at resolutions as futile and ridiculous.These are the people that proudly profess that they don’t make such silly promises or state that they don’t need to wait for the beginning of a year to make significant changes in their lives.To that last comment, I say, “Hurrah for you!” Personally, I tend to fall into a third group that likes to take the time at the beginning of a New Year to look back at what the old year brought to pass.Within it are lessons that can be learned, patterns that can be more clearly seen and hidden blessings that can be found. Often we don’t take the time to see the deeper meaning that threads its way through our lives.Instead we rush headlong into the next event ahead of us, seeking out what we want to change; never realizing that the key to unlocking the door to real and lasting change is found by first looking into our past. When we look at our lives, it is easy for each one of us to quickly pick out the areas we want to improve, or alter.Yet, few will take the time to look over the past to see where the seed was planted that has grown into the life they are now experiencing.They aren’t difficult to find, if you are willing to reflect honestly upon your life’s events, thoughts and experiences. For me this past year has been one of tremendous discovery.It’s hard to believe that just one year ago my wife, Lisa started down a path of serious health issues that would lead to her nearly transitioning from this physical plane; only to have a long and arduous journey back to a ‘new normal’ in her health. Thankfully, I was out of work for much of this year and was able to be there over this period of time.Sure, the adjustments and transformations that had to occur having lost the ‘day job’ created some stress.Yet, it wasn’t nearly as difficult when the underlying blessings were remembered.Out of which has arisen a deeper intimacy we share than ever before. There were many more ‘events’ that played out through the past year with people moving in and out of our lives.Some I’ve been sorry to see go, other’s left of their own accord while showing the true nature of their character along the way.Yet, within every event, person and character there were blessings to be found and lessons to be learned. Through the recognition of the blessings, the patterns of the events and the lessons that we acknowledge, true resolve can be found.Out of this reflection arises an ability to take ownership of our lives and truly transform with a deeper understanding of who we truly are and what we need to alter within ourselves to make lasting changes in our lives. This is the lasting resolution.The one that continues within us long after we’ve given up the diet or let the gym membership expire.This kind of reflection transforms our inner core and allows us to clear away the blockages that keep us from living what we dream is possible.It also allows who we truly are to bubble forth effortlessly from within as opposed to being forced through repeated resolutions year after year.
