Reminiscing On Past Years to Create New Year’s Resolutions.

For a few years now when I think about New Year’s resolutions I go back to December 2010, the last holiday season that my father, mother, and I spent together as a family. The thought usually plays out like a traditional movie shot from outside the home, the camera looks through the window as my family is celebrating inside. The narration then goes something like “and little did they know that was the last holidays they spent together.” 2010 had been a roller coaster for my family, we found ourselves in financial difficulties that we were finally getting over. We were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. We were hopeful. I was scheduled to return to law school after a year off due to our finances. What followed for my family in 2011, however, was heartbreaking on various levels. You can read some of it here. The rest of the story is still too personal and heartbreaking for me to share, even years later. In the middle of 2011 everything changed. My world was turned upside down.

Based on my experiences I now take a different approach to my new year’s resolutions. Part of me wants to say that they are pointless because our paths are already decided. The other [better] part of me, however, has just learned not to set unrealistic resolutions. I set simple resolutions, and I am not using “simple” interchangeably with “easy”. By simple I mean, resolutions that will get me to my final goal but are not necessarily in and of themselves my final goal.

For example, one of my greatest ambitions is to open up my own firm. While I am eternally grateful to my current boss as I have learned so much under his wing, I know that I am meant to lead my own. Nonetheless, I know I am not ready to launch, so I will not set my new year’s resolution as “open up own firm,” as I would just be setting myself up for failure. Instead, my resolution is going to be simple: remember what my goals are. This way, throughout the year each choice that I make in my career will be geared towards my final goal, which is to gain enough experience, and save enough money to go out on my own. This way I will not feel overwhelmed when I think about my resolutions. I know that it is a work in progress and at the time I still have my responsibilities with my current employer.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned in the past few years is that while we may try to plan every detail in our lives, life already has its own plans for you. The best you can do is to give it your all, even if you fall short of your goals at the end of the road. At the end of the year when you look back, remember that not fulfilling your resolutions should not be categorized as a failure. Instead, look at the positive. Even if you did not make it to the end, you took steps towards fulfilling your resolution. Think about what kept you from fulfilling them. Remember, there is an underlying plan. Where you are at this very moment is exactly where you are meant to be. Sometimes the goals we set for ourselves are unrealistic or just not right for us at the time.

[ctt template=”7″ link=”ebeN4″ via=”yes” ]At the end of the year when you look back, remember that not fulfilling your resolutions should not be categorized as a failure. [/ctt]

Looking back at 2011, I no longer feel an inner despise for said year. Of course, there are days when I still wonder “why?” Nonetheless, now I am thankful for it. It sparked a new passion in my career. It pushed me when all I wanted to do was give up. And it taught me to stop planning and start living. Set simple resolutions that will help you live freely and motivate yourself. Work hard throughout the year for what you want, but don’t fret if you aren’t where you wanted to be at the end of the year. After all, you will be a lot closer than you were the year before.

[ctt template=”7″ link=”38kdw” via=”no” nofollow=”yes”]Set simple resolutions that will help you live freely and motivate yourself.[/ctt]

Thank you for all of the love and support you have provided for the blog this year. We wish you the best for the year to come & look forward to more adventures. From our family to yours!

XOXO – L.