The New Year 2015 is staring at us on the face. And a New Year always starts off with an array of promises and resolutions that will all be forgotten like a whimsical fairy tale within matters of days.
Someone rightly said that New Year's resolutions are like traffic. While the driver tries intently to get to the destination, there are hoards of things that take away his attention. While red light slows down the process of the journey; distractions from the radio, a fight in the street, ringing of the cell phone, honking noises and the traffic chaos all contribute to the disturbances that do not allow the driver to focus on the one thing that he should focus on -- reaching the destination.
We have all seen the ebb and flow of the New Year resolutions so many times that we land up making and breaking the same promises year after year. This is perhaps the reason why Cavett Robert once said, "Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed."
This year let us not torture ourselves with unrealistic goals and at the same time not fool ourselves by making promises only to break them the very next day:
Here are top 30 ideals for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual growth this coming year, coupled with inspirational quotes that great thinkers have penned.
Resolutions for Physical Improvement:
The famous American professional wrestler, rapper and actor John Cena has once said:
"People can say whatever they want about the sport of bodybuilding, but to get prepared to do a contest or even think about doing a contest, or even to get into decent shape, it requires a certain amount of discipline, and it comes from taking a new year's resolution to a lifestyle."
- Get specific about your weight-loss goal and make sure you have enough dedication and sincerity that takes to bring yourself into shape.
- Get your finances in order, don't spend too much, stop the compulsive purchases and do yourself a favour by eating a little less.
- This is the chance. Live a tobacco-free life. If you can't give up alcohol at all, restrict it to rare social occasions.
- Walk, jump rope, dance, swim, ride a bike, kick box, play volleyball and engage in some fun physical activities for at least 30 minutes.
- Make sure to sleep for at least seven or eight hours a day.
- Eat breakfast every morning.
- Replace refined foods with whole foods; increase your vitamin, mineral and fiber intake.
- Eat salad every day and make water your main beverage. Avoid sodas and other energy drinks.
- Pick better proteins such as fish, chicken turkey and beans and make other fattier proteins a "once in a while" choice.
- Try always using a smaller plate.
Resolutions for Mental and Emotional Improvement:
"Dates that come around every year help us measure progress in our lives. One annual event, New Year's Day, is a time of reflection and resolution"
– Joseph B. Wirthlin
- Be attentive to your emotional pains and if something 'hurts' for more than a few days you have to do something. Don't ignore bad feelings emanating from rejection, failure, bad moods or more.
- Don't allow yourself to feel lonely. It is devastating to your emotional and physical health.
- Find ways to gain control of a situation and don't let the vicious cycles of failure-helplessness-failure affect your life.
- Have self-esteem. It is the only emotion that protects you from stress and anxiety.
- Take a good book to read once in a while. Try to read at least 30 to 40 pages in a day.
- Learn to revive your self-worth after a rejection. Stop calling yourself names, listing your faults and kicking yourself when you are already down.
- Find ways to battle negative thinking. Do not replay upsetting things over and over in your mind.
- Find ways to be informed about the impact of common psychological pains and find ways to solve them.
- Pick up a newspaper, read a book lying idle on your table, browse for a brilliant article, improve your vocabulary and general knowledge.
- Develop a hobby. And it just doesn't need to be an expensive one. Anything that intrigues you and keeps your mind and attention engaged should suffice.
Spiritual Resolutions:
"Those who gave thee a body, furnished it with weakness; but He who gave thee Soul, armed thee with resolution. Employ it, and thou art wise; be wise and thou art happy."
– Akhenaton, ancient Egyptian ruler
"I have no way of knowing how people really feel, but the vast majority of those I meet couldn't be nicer. Every once in a while someone barks at me. My resolution is not to bark back."
– Tucker Carlson, American journalist
"If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am."
– Cyril Cusack, famous Irish actor.
- Make promises sparingly and if you choose to make them, keep them faithfully.
- Never miss an opportunity to say a kind and encouraging thing to or about somebody.
- Have concerns and be interested in others – their pursuits, welfare, homes and families.
- Be cheerful and always have a reason to smile. If you find someone without a smile, give them one of yours.
- Keep an open mind on all debatable questions. Discuss but don't argue.
- Let your virtues speak for themselves. You always have a choice to refuse to talk of another's vices.
- Be sensitive to other's feelings. Humour and wit at the cost of hurting someone is rarely of any worth.
- Donate regularly to a charity. There is nothing more joyful than being the reason for someone's smile.
- Be more honest – with yourself, with others.
- Pay absolutely no attention to ill-natured and upsetting remarks about you. Live your life in such a way that nobody will believe them.
