what if we don’t resolve

What if we don’t make any resolutions? What if we simply shift our thinking to do more for ourselves? Here’s what I mean.

Resolutions tend to be removing things from our life or ‘improving’ ourselves or how we do things. Bunk to that. Instead I want to focus on what I can add to my life to make it better, happier, more fulfilling. I want to focus on what I can do to bring more carefree joy to my life.

Who needs to be constantly reminded we’re not ‘good enough’ – we need to improve? Bah. I’m good enough. You’re good enough. So let’s get to work at adding things to our life to bring more joy, more fulfillment, more contentment.

One thing I know about training animals is that you can’t whip, beat, yell, jerk, or nag ‘better’ or ‘improvement’ into an animal; humans are no different. Just as any animal responds to positive reinforcement, so too do we humans. And that’s a scientific fact.

I haven’t written out a plan but I thought I’d share here on my online journal what I’d like to include while these ideas are fresh in my mind. Here are a few of the things I’ve chosen to add to my life with a view to bringing more joy, fulfillment, and contentment to my life in 2022.

• Making more music. This past year I’ve really spent very little time with my piano. Although I will never be an accomplished pianist, there is no denying the gratification and mood-lifting benefits from simply playing the piano. Of course I will be listening to more music as well.
• More time in the sunshine. Although I may spend more time outdoors than some, I know that I haven’t spent enough time outdoors and that’s about to change. Not only does sunshine make all of us feel better, the benefits of the natural vitamin D from the sun enhances our health as well. So more sunshine for me.
• More time in nature. Again, this past year I haven’t spent nearly enough time in nature. Far more of my time was spent outdoors in the neighbourhood. But being in the forest, whether walking, exploring, taking photos, or simply walking the dog improves mood exponentially and I plan to get out to the trails far more than this past year. Forest bathing here I come.
• More movement. Some of the other actions I’ve mentioned will help accomplish this but I’m also thinking about those lazy times inside. Rather than sitting in my favourite chair watching TV or spending too much time at the computer, I’m going to kill two birds with one stone: During commercials — or more often if I have the urge — I plan to get up and do some squats, or a plank, or a couple of my balance exercises.
• More laughter. This past year I realized I don’t laugh as much as I used to. I’m going to seek out more opportunities that I know include more laughter. Not just an occasional chuckle; I’m talking a good ol’ belly laugh, the kind that can turn others heads. Yes, we all need more laughter in our lives.

There. I’ve written them down and now all I have to do is incorporate them which shouldn’t be difficult because every single item is something I like to do. Let me ask you, what would you like to ADD to your life to bring more joy, more fulfillment, more contentment?