People seem to feel the need to be resolute and hell-bent on being steadfast and immovable in their attempts to make a new year a better year. Oddly enough, few people seem to keep their New Year’s Resolutions.
Maybe we’re going about self-improvement all wrong. Maybe ladling on more stress onto an already stressful existence is part of the problem many of us have. Maybe we need to be a bit more fluid, a bit more…graceful…in our attempts at self-improvement. Maybe we should consider writing some New Year’s Flexibilities:
1. You’re a work in progress and construction is a messy business. If you blow the diet, lose your temper, have a cigarette or let loose a bowling word after you’ve sworn off both, completely botched that daily Bible-reading schedule by Day Four, skipped a day of working out, or somehow let yourself down, give yourself some grace. Tomorrow’s coming. Start again.
2. When other people disappoint you, extend them the same grace. It’s not easy living on this rock, and we’re all carrying heavy loads.
3. Laugh: if it’s gonna be funny later, go ahead and laugh now.
4. Love people lavishly.
Happy New Year, dear friends.
In the Language of Flowers, “I am but human.”