Wow! Does anyone else feel December was a bit crazy? 

I love the holiday season with all its hustle and bustle, but by the time it’s over, and the Christmas decorations are safely tucked away in the attic, I feel emotionally and physically drained.   

By the time it’s January I’m living on coffee and sheer determination.

Am I the only one?

On most any other New Years, by now, I would have written my goals in my shiny new calendar and made resolutions for the coming year.  (Note: I do love a new calendar.)  It would all feel so fresh and promises would seem attainable because it’s NEW YEAR and anything is possible.  Until about mid spring, when, basically the wheels would fall off and I forget all about the calendar and, instead, focus on survival.  That may be overstating it a bit, but I do find myself less and less motivated as the days drag on.  So, this year I decided to start things off differently. 

No new calendar for me. 

No resolutions. 

No pep talks.   (Well, maybe a few pep talks. Ha!)

Those things work for a while but I’ve found they don’t last, at least not for the long haul.  I need something that makes me want to stick to my goals and keeps me moving when I want to stop; I need something reliable. 

So, I’m focusing less on resolutions and more on rhythms. 

I’m keeping my mind centered on today and making good decisions TODAY, not because I made a giant promise to myself, and my calendar, when I was feeling high on confetti and New Year’s hype. And not because I’ll have some big pay off in the future, even though that’s a desire, but because the simple habits I practice, as time rolls by, will keep my days purposeful and hopeful.  It’s kind of a “steady as she goes” mentality.  The goals I have don’t fall into a calendar year, I want to continue them over a lifetime.   I want them to be so ingrained in me that, whether it’s New Year’s or the middle of the summer, I’m still doing the things I know will bring peace and growth. 

I want my life to flow. 

I am over the self-deprecation that comes when I don’t keep up with my resolutions.  I want to be kinder to myself in every way, because, honestly, I really am trying my best.   And when I fail at the resolutions, because I often do, I don’t want to have to “pep talk” myself out of the negative spiral that will surely come. I’m ready to be out of that unhealthy cycle.  Instead I’m sticking to what I’ve already put in motion and not making any grand standing promises, I’m just continuing to take small steps in the right direction. 

I do have goals.

I want to reach my goals, I just don’t want to put a time frame on them.  I am going to continue to work and celebrate each small victory as they lead to bigger ones.  One day at a time.

I’ve celebrated the New Year so many ways over the years and this is the best I’ve ever felt about it.  I don’t feel pressure or the need to write long lists of promises or to fill in blocks on a calendar; I am motivated by continuing to do what I have already been doing. 

And it feels great!

Keep doing the work, friends, stay dedicated and the change you seek will come.

New calendars are nice but you don’t need one to get the job done.

However you’re ringing in the New Year, I hope it’s the best one yet and I look forward to spending time with you here on Deeper Waters.

Happy New Year!

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier

Jake says, “Stay Pawsitive”