Happy New Year!
We're almost one full week into the new year - a time when 1 out of 4 people quit on their new year resolutions.
I thought I'd use this time to check in and see how you were doing! Are you sticking to your goals? Did you make any to begin with? Are you the 1 out of 4 and feeling discouraged? It's never too late to do the things you set out to do, especially if you have the desire and will to do so!
But first, what is a resolution, and why are they so hard to keep?
By definition, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something. But that's just it. It's just a decision. There's no action plan behind it to see that the decision is carried through.
Gabby Bernstein, a best-selling author and life coach, believes that a resolution sort of implies that there's something that needs to be fixed - a low vibe energy, where as a desire or manifestation is something that we're ready to attract. Doesn't that sound so much more appealing? "Ready to attract."
Manifesting involves intentionally bringing ideas and thoughts into physical form and getting crystal clear on what you're working to create.
The key word here, is working. You have to take action steps to turn your goals and/or dreams into a reality. Trying to manifest something without putting any action plan behind it is nothing more than a happy wish. It's much like hoping to win the lottery without buying a ticket.
You have to do the work.
So, this year, I decided to do away with resolutions and adopted the intention, or manifestation approach.
For starters, I didn't simply just say out loud what it was that I wanted to do with this new year. (Though, saying your desires out loud works if you follow it up with action.) I also didn't focus on one specific thing, but rather looked at my life as a whole and made 1-3 intentions for each aspect of my life.
Next, I wrote those intentions down in my journal. I gave them thought and purpose. I asked myself what it is I truly wanted and why, and asked if these desires would only benefit me, or also those around me.
This part is crucial when it comes to manifestation. According to psychiatrist Anna Yusim, M.D., "If you ask the universe for something that isn't for the highest good of everyone involved, the universe is unlikely to grant your request."
It's also really important to believe that you can have (and deserve) what you asked for.
I'm sure you've heard the adage, "Thoughts become things." Yusim explains in her interview with mbg, "We are what we think, consciously and unconsciously. In other words, what we attract into our lives reflects the contents of our mind."
She continues to add, "When we put out thoughts of lack and emptiness, we attract more of exactly that: lack and emptiness. When we shift instead to thoughts of sharing and giving, we get the same energy coming back to us."
I don't know about you, but that shift in mentality was a game changer for me!
I think it's very important to note, too, the "crystal clear" concept of manifestation. The more specific you can be with your intentions or goals, the better.
Keep in mind that intentions can be practiced daily. Intentions aren't necessarily the goal or destination, but rather how you choose to act throughout your journey.
For me, when I think of it that way, it makes the approach to achieving my goals that much simpler.
So, what do you think? Does setting intentions seem more exciting than trying to resolve something? Are you ready to start, or try again?
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, it's never too late to do the things your heart and soul desires. You deserve great things. I believe in you! But you first have to believe in yourself.
What will you be manifesting for 2023?