age is really just a number

So it’s a few days into the new year and all I’m hearing about is people’s New Year’s resolutions. Why do we “start over” in the new year? Why not reassess daily, monthly or quarterly?

Yes, the new year does give us the prompt to take a look at our life and see what we would like to change. It’s a motivating thought: New Year, New Me! But honestly, I don’t want to reinvent me – I just want to polish the edges.

My New Year’s resolution is to work on my reaction to others. I find that I give others the power to “push my buttons.” I need to take a deep breath and think about, “Why is this person doing what they are doing?” “What place are they coming from that makes them act this way?” This will allow me to respond in a more calm and rational manner when people are being irrational.

Try it! It’s amazing how someone can be yelling at you and when you answer them with a calm, “I’m not sure why you are so upset, but let’s see if we can find a solution together.” They almost immediately calm down and can even turn out to just be human and brought their stress from somewhere else into your day.

Take this time at the turn of a new century and work on you. Find a coach or a counselor that can help you. Read a book about communication. Find peace with God. Start every interaction with love and empathy. The practice may not lead to a perfect demeanor, but it can lead to wholeness and healthier relationships when we start with being kinder to those around us.

Happy New Year!