Here
we are, already more than a week into 2016. On many a blog there are posts displaying
'resolutions/ goals/ wishes' for the year, in keeping with a tradition that began
many centuries ago (according to the great library in the cloud!) in Babylonia.
Essentially a spiritual process, the 'resolution' activity has become largely
secular; almost all which have been read recently involve health and fitness,
finance and contain elements of a desire for improved social involvement.
All
good. What has also been observed, however, is that there are marked
differences in approach to the process.
Many seem somewhat… numinous, with little chance of fruition. There are a few
for which, one feels, many of the 'resolutions' will
be achieved, due to the modesty of the goal, the intention behind it and the
sense that the writer/s are entirely capable of following through. Expectations have been kept in control.
This
is what needs to be remembered. Quite a few of the posts remarked that they
were not 'doing resolutions' because they felt that this implied failure; but
it has perhaps been missed that the very word itself means to make a firm
decision to alter one's behaviour in order to attain a certain outcome. To have
resolve is to be determined in ones' thoughts and deeds. To make New Year
Resolutions, then, is to set goals of improved behaviour within ourselves with
a personal commitment to carry them out, so that we can expect a raising of our
nature and, consequently, a betterment of our circumstances. This process, it
must be said, can be carried out each and every day and does not necessarily
have to wait for a single point in any given twelve months! "Failure" simply means our resolve is weak - if so, then whatever the NYR thing is called, that part of our personality required to see things through will still be absent.
No
matter how it is approached, the aim is to make one or more goals which are
within reach. 'Wishes' are all good and well and may indeed be for things such as
peace and harmony within the family, community, nation… but at all these
levels, peace and harmony do not happen by the wishing alone - there must be resolve to be the first one setting the
example of the change which is desired.
Someone
rather famous said that once… &*>
Peace
and harmony, which are both aspects of CeL, begin within the individual. A sufficient number of individuals
living out the actuality of these things will result in a peaceable and
harmonious existence and a Life Lived Lovingly.
Conversely,
if every individual says "I wish…", but then does nothing to
contribute to the manifestation of that desire, things will only remain the
same - or worsen. How worsen? Many who stay in the 'wish' category are also
often those who have the expectation that the external environment ought to
change without any effort from themselves and that it ought to support them in established,
albeit sometimes very negative, behaviours. Such hypocrisy is one of the greatest
pitfalls of the personality.
One
of the best and most achievable of goals is the resolve to learn at least one
new thing each and every day. The next goal is to resolve to utilise what is
learned by application in life. This can be as mundane as learning that, to open
a blister pack of batteries, the use of a can opener can save the fingers from
damage, all the way up to reading a philosophical passage or some scriptural
verses and pondering the wisdom contained therein, then seeking to utilise the
increased understanding in our daily interaction. This is the original source
of 'resolutions', and arguably, the only kind required for all other goals to
come to fruition. It is in the improvement and enlargement of our personality
that we become stronger and more focused and, therefore, capable of working
through the things which will indeed raise our nature and better our
circumstance.
Wishing
you all the very best and blessings with your own NYRs!
Great post! Yes, wishes don't usually get one too far. Mom keeps wishing it was warm outside!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm & Bark On!
Murphy & Stanley
Your words ring true.
ReplyDeleteI try to learn something new, find out about the things around me.
It's been a dreary day here, again, but I cannot complain. It sounds, as you say, lie bonnie Scotland, sans snow! It's a mucky, muddy mess!
I am at 6s and 9s, however. Just not sure where else my journey leads!
cheerio! xx
Great post, I do have goals I would like to meet all the time. I wish you all the best with your resolutions. Have a happy Sunday and new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wrote down and had handy when Barkley was ill was this, from the book of common prayer.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Book of Common Prayer.
"This is another day, Lord . .
if I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to still still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly."
Good idea but I never make them always forget to for some reason, but always open to new ideas and like to try new things.
ReplyDeleteI really wish all was right with the world .
Merle...........,
We need to make plans to change and not wishes!
ReplyDeleteMy mother only planned to reduce her ice cream cemetery a little bit... the miracle happened, mission completed after just one week. I thought now we will have an easy 2016, but sadly she currently starts to stuff herself with chocolate and sweet things.... probably to have a new goal this year... to reduce the ice cream cemetery... humans are crazy...
ReplyDeleteI specifically didn't make 'resolutions' because I have never really been able to pull them off. But a plan sounded better and I hope I will be able to accomplish at least part of the plan. As resolute as I can!
ReplyDelete