By Lois Jones | Senior Photographer
It is the beginning of a new year. What does that mean to you? For many it is a fresh start — the start of a diet or exercise program, resolutions to get financially sound, the desire to find romance, the overwhelming feeling that last year is over and anything is possible because it is a new year.
It seems as if every magazine has articles on how to accomplish what you want this year. Titles advocating a “new you” or “how to … (fill in the blank)” and your life will be better fill the stands. Talk shows will award makeovers and tell the public what is “in” for the year to come.
The beginning of every new year inspires a strong desire for change. It may be a big change or a little one. You might want to lose that last 10 pounds or embark on the journey to lose a substantial amount of weight.
You might decide to continue your education and get an advanced degree or just to stay in school, because you had thought about quitting.
Even though the economic times are not great, you may want to make a job or career change. That may be a risky decision, but it could also be the start of something great in your life.
Take your hobby and make it into a profitable and fun job. New means fresh and new start equals fresh start. If the last year was a bad one or just an uneventful one, and you have decided to make this one a great one, then hooray for you.
Don’t create an environment that makes you feel overwhelmed. Break your goals into attainable accomplishments. If you are going to lose 100 pounds, then break it up into five- or 10-pound goals. If you want to start walking, then set your goal low enough that you can reach it and aren’t discouraged, but steadily increase it so you see the progress you have made. You know what you can do without setting yourself up for failure.
We have just started a new semester. For some it is their first and others their last. For me it is my last as I will graduate with my master’s degree in May.
I happen to be one of those people that loves school. I didn’t when I was fresh out of high school. It took me a lifetime to realize what an education means and what it can offer you.
This year I have many goals. Will I reach them all? I don’t know, but I can answer that next New Year’s Day, so check with me then. I, for one, think reaching your goals requires accountability. Write your goals down and review them often. Let someone you trust and who will support you know what your goals are.
You might have a few roadblocks along the way, just keep your eyes on the goal. If it takes you longer than you had anticipated, don’t get upset. Look at how far you have come and appreciate your efforts so far, then evaluate what it will take to reach the goal and go for it.
I am not going to lie and tell you achieving all your goals will be easy. I am the first to admit these last few years have not been easy for me, but they have been a time of reflection, and awareness I can succeed even when obstacles are thrown in the way.
I am grateful to those of you that have been my champions, mentors and friends these last few years. Without you, I would not have been as successful as I have been. I am trying to realize I need to do things one day at a time and one step at a time and all those steps will get me to where I am going.
Efforts add together. It may not seem like a lot in the beginning, like finishing your first semester, but each semester you finish gets you one semester closer to your degree. Each pound lost, each step taken, and each class finished all get you closer to your weight loss, health or education goals.
Did I reach all my goals last year? Sadly, no. Ben and Jerry’s and chocolate still have a hold on me and my house still isn’t House and Garden beautiful.
Yes, those goals have been added to this year’s goals and hopefully I will be looking great in my gown in May and relaxing in my pretty, clean home and in my new home office doing homework very soon.
I know we are over half way through January, but take this year and claim it for yourself.
Don’t take “no” for an answer. Ask: If you don’t ask you don’t get. Reach: You might find you like what you get when you go a little out of your comfort zone. Evaluate what you have done that has worked and keep doing it and change what has not. Dare to be the best you and have the best year you can.
Just remember we are all human and will make mistakes and have setbacks. If you see me with chocolate, you can say something, but be kind. Chocolate is chocolate after all, and it may be one of those days where the only thing that makes it better is the sweet taste of chocolate.
Happy spring semester.
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