Re-evaluate, release and repeat

With more than a week logged into the New Year, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate the resolutions, goals, lifestyle changes and [fill-in-the-blank] dreams many of us employed on the first of the month. My challenge—to focus on balancing it out—has turned into a juggling act of sorts. In a good way: It seems the more my passions and goals line up, the more I’m able to squeeze into any given day. For instance, the practice of yoga is an emotional and physical balm for me, but when I added a spiritual outlet into my schedule, my world became a little more rounded. Some days, however, it’s all I can do to shuffle vehicles after a recent car accident left my family with limited transportation, while on others I feel like Wonder Woman. And it also requires the conscious release (by me!) of preconceived expectations to “do it all” when time runs out in the day.

How is the New Year shaping up for you?

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Make it happen in 2015

[Image credit: Stuart Miles]

We’ve had a few days now to get our feet wet in the new year. Some of us have jumped into new resolutions, and/or revisited old ones, as we face a pristine slate ripe with possibility. I recently heard a statistic that only 10 percent of people who resolve to make a change in any given new year actually succeed. Personally, I’ve come up with some lofty goals in 2015 to realize a more balanced life and, if last year was one filled with insight and personal development, this year is destined to overflow with manifestation (I can feel it!). So how do we ensure we’re one of the scant few whose resolutions come to fruition? I think it first begins with a theme or focus, like balanced living, healthier eating, fitness, etc., and then a realistic plan of what *needs* to happen to make it happen. But it’s also important to allow for wiggle room when *life* happens. And be forgiving.

What are your resolutions this year?

A palms-up approach

[Image credit: tungphoto]

It’s true what they say. Time seems to speed up as we get older. We’re already well into the holiday season and next week is December. Pretty soon the New Year will be in full swing and 2014 a distant memory. As I prepare for another Thanksgiving, I find myself pondering those things in my life—people, events, successes—for which I’m grateful, but also looking ahead to 2015. Once again, while in yoga the other day, the instructor advised we live with our palms open, releasing our expectations to avoid disappointment and to better live in the present. Yet my goals are still a work in progress. Without some kind of expectation in place, it would be harder to measure how far we’ve traveled in 365 days and where we need to make [micro]adjustments. This doesn’t mean we can’t keep our palms open—in generosity and thanksgiving—as we await the surprises the New Year has in store for us.

Are you a planner or a seat-of-the-pantser?