New Year Theme

The season of making yearly resolutions has approached. I always felt resolutions were a bit stressful and a set-up to fail. I start off gung-ho and at the end of a week I fizzle. Yes, a week. 
In 2016 I decided to choose a yearly theme instead of a resolution. The idea of the theme was introduced to me by the podcast, “Happier with Gretchen Rubin”. (You can read about my 2016 theme choice here https://www.ciagould.com/blog/2016/1/28/growth). I stuck to my theme for 2016 and I feel successful instead of hating myself for failing a resolution. I will never make a resolution again because life is a journey.

I will never make a resolution again because life is a journey.
As 2017 approaches I have been thinking about what I’d like my theme to be. I chose to go with “presence”. I just want to be present, in the now. I want to give attention to what I do and say. For me, the past ten years introduced so many different ways to be distracted. I am less in the moment than I’ve ever been. I have fewer quiet and distraction-free times... forget about trying to read a book! If we’re not browsing on our phone, we’re texting, playing a game, or on some sort of social media platform. It’s madness! The more distracted we are it seems the more desensitized we become to it. Do you ever feel busy, but not productive? I get stressed physically and emotionally by feeling that I need to constantly check for something new on my phone. Guess what? Nothing interesting usually has happened within 10 seconds. 

One of the helpful tools I started to weave into my daily life is meditation. I even use an app and meditate before I leave the bed in the morning. I find myself in a better mood and with intention and focus for my day. I found a very cool local Japanese garden that I plan to do some meditation in as well.

As for practicing being present I have a few tips to share if you decide to try the same thing: 

1. Pay attention to every aspect of what you’re doing
2. Become aware of your thoughts when they begin to wander and consciously come back to what you’re doing
3. Be joyful in what you’re doing
4. Be grateful
5. Meditate

So, as 2017 rolls in what do you think you’re theme would be?