One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to set myself up for disappointment; as in, forget the New Year’s resolutions! Many of us make all sorts of plans in January which we resolve to carry out, but they are only plans, and plans are easily broken. These days, I prefer to think in terms of possibilities or things that may happen. That way, I’m under no pressure or obligation to make something happen; I’m just open to it, so that I’m pleasantly surprised when it does happen!
We all make plans and lists to structure our lives, sometimes with a great sense of urgency to them. I have to admit I’m a big fan of checklists to help me organize my days and weeks. I love the gratification of checking things off once they are done but have also learned not to be held hostage by things left unchecked. A good example of this is my humble grocery list which I add to on a daily basis, but once I’m at the store I may not purchase a certain item on that list. Maybe my favorite brand isn’t available that day or I decide it’s something that can really wait until next time. Whatever the case, it’s OK to leave something undone because eventually, when the time is right, I will make it happen and check it off the list even if it takes several weeks. The satisfaction of checking something off my “to do” list may be delayed but it’s no less satisfying.
And that’s the key for me these days – to allow things to happen eventually in their own time. By doing this, I free myself of the chains of resolutions and intentions. It’s such a relief when I just let things be, like taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. It’s a chance to observe what will come to pass without forcing it to happen, without all the urgency and drama. By behaving in this way, I’m letting nature take its course.
While out walking on this bright and balmy first day of the new year, I saw many signs of winter life – velvety green mosses and ruffled lichen clinging to stones and stumps, fattening buds on azaleas and forsythias, hungry birds pecking at seeds and poking at bark for hidden insects. All around us, nature continues its circle of life but does it so quietly, and almost secretly, that it appears as if nothing is happening. On the contrary, there’s a whole lot happening all the time in tiny, slow and steady changes. Life is constantly moving forward.
As we succumb to everyday pressures and rush through our days in an effort to get it all done, as we place all our focus on what should be, it’s not always easy to appreciate what is really happening in our lives. We, too, are always moving forward but sometimes we need to sit back and just bask in the enjoyment of what we have today. We need to take the time to appreciate those tiny miracles happening right now, rather than constantly seeking to fill our lives with something that’s newer, bigger and better! While it’s exciting and healthy to make plans for the future and improve upon our current situations, it’s also beneficial for us to find contentment in the present, for the present is all we really have.
Once again, this January, we can make many demands on ourselves only to end up feeling frustrated when we can’t achieve them, or we can take a lesson from nature and practice patience with ourselves. We can let the new year unfold before us, without any requirements, and be pleasantly surprised at all the possibilities.
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