So, while we are on the topic…
Resolutions can come in very different forms. And, as much as I believe in “measurable” and quantitative results and goals. I struggle with them - and I completely get why they often make us feel much more “bad” than “good”.
I was talking to a friend the other day, who started taking a different approach to resolutions.
Last year, he wrote out the most important roles that he plays in life -
For me, it would be -
Father, Husband, Friend, Business Leader, Son, Cousin… the list could go on and on - but who do I serve?
Me, My sons, My wife, My friends & family, My business, My community.
And, then my friend, wrote out both his INTENTIONS for each and what he hopes to MANIFEST in each of those relationships in the coming year.
This exercise may be a little to amorphous for some of you - and feel preferable to others versus the quantitative goals.
I don’t follow a rule book nor a recipe book for life - in fact, I tend to dislike any book or person that suggests there is an easy formula…
But, I absolutely have found that living with deliberate intention has made me possibly a better person, and certainly more gracious through life.
My intentions in the past few years have been much more focused on being GRATEFUL, being PRESENT… and while I have failed over and over in so many moments, I have also succeeded.
You know me - I like to have my cake and eat it too. I will lay out a couple of quantifiable goals for 2021, just to have a target. And, that will be primarily for my weight.
But, overall, the thought of setting INTENTIONS as my resolutions is very much who I am right now.
And, the thought of adding MANIFESTATIONS is interesting - and a journey I want to explore.
My intent right now - and as I think about next year is to LIVE
WITH JOY - I want to feel joy more often, seek joy more often, appreciate joy more often, make more decision with joy as the objective.
FROM ABUNDANCE - I realize that I have spent so much of my life “playing not to lose”, making more decisions from “scarcity” than from “abundance”. I am not suggesting to live irresponsibly, but to live with the constant thought of the great abundance of blessings, gifts, opportunity that are all around us. To reach for them, enjoy them, leverage them, be inspired by them, share them…
FROM LOVE - It kind of goes hand in hand with “abundance” and “scarcity”… Do I live with the intention of “love” or “fear”. What initiates the thoughts in my life? Am I “Getting busy living, or getting busy dying” as a dear friend loves to say? Am I living from “light” or “darkness”.
WITH PURPOSE - I continue to question why am I alive and on this earth - and I want the answer, as I continue to uncover it, to be a greater and greater part of my deliberateness. And, I do know that when I am living my purpose, I am filled easily with JOY. And, i can tell you - that when i write - I am there… I don’t know how writing plays into my purpose - but I feel a gravity to write. I feel compelled to share. And, as I share I learn - and I connect to myself and to you. And, while I don’t completely understand it - I will continue to follow it.
I know it sounds a little wu-wu - but, to me, living deliberately doesn’t just mean having a workout schedule that you adhere to - it means being deliberate about the essence, the origin of my thoughts. Being selective about the “SOURCE” of my days and my energy. This is where I find myself more spiritual than ever. I do believe more and more in the energy we produce and consume - I believe that energy comes from a source and goes back to the source. We are all connected. We are everything and we are nothing all at the same time. We are the directors, the actors and the spectators of the play.
Do whatever comes natural to you -
Have a resolution
or don’t
make it quantitative
or don’t
but shhhhhhhh
LISTEN…
LISTEN closely past the noise of everyday, past the noise of transactions, past the noise of busyness…
LISTEN to your soul, to your heart…
LISTEN for your light.
What brings you joy?
Why do you exist?
Who are you,
and
who do you want to be tomorrow?
in harmony,
Nestor