As Jan. 1 draws near, the sounds of ice cream scooping into bowls, candy wrappers tearing open and chocolate being stuffed into mouths can be heard. But once Jan. 1 hits, the sounds of treadmills starting, weights clinking and diets being created can be heard. For most people, these latter sounds are heard for a few weeks, maybe even a month or two, before the former sounds start creeping their way back into normal routine.
Why is it that New Year’s resolutions are so hard to keep? Now, I have to be completely honest and say that I rarely ever make a resolution, mostly because I know I will never be able to keep it up for a whole year. So I always end up thinking, why bother?
What really is the point to making a New Year’s resolution if it’s just going to get broken? What’s the point if you’re only going to feel like a failure when you do break it? I think people miss the point of this promise. Because that’s what it is. It’s a promise to yourself.
One of the things that is important to understand about a resolution, whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or just a resolution that you make on your own, is that it tests your discipline. One part of my resolution is to exercise at least three times a week. This will definitely test my discipline! I love to exercise, but once next semester, classes and social activities start up again, I know that I will find the excuse of being too busy to go to the gym. My discipline will be tested and I will have to decide if I am going to keep my promise to myself.
Why is it that New Year’s resolutions are so hard to keep? Now, I have to be completely honest and say that I rarely ever make a resolution, mostly because I know I will never be able to keep it up for a whole year. So I always end up thinking, why bother?
What really is the point to making a New Year’s resolution if it’s just going to get broken? What’s the point if you’re only going to feel like a failure when you do break it? I think people miss the point of this promise. Because that’s what it is. It’s a promise to yourself.
One of the things that is important to understand about a resolution, whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or just a resolution that you make on your own, is that it tests your discipline. One part of my resolution is to exercise at least three times a week. This will definitely test my discipline! I love to exercise, but once next semester, classes and social activities start up again, I know that I will find the excuse of being too busy to go to the gym. My discipline will be tested and I will have to decide if I am going to keep my promise to myself.
But herein lies the beauty of keeping your resolution: Once that year is over, you realize you are stronger than you thought you were. You realize you have just made yourself stronger. It really does not matter what your resolution is. It could be eating healthier, it could be making a point to stay in touch with that friend from high school, it could be memorizing a different Bible verse each week.
It doesn't matter what it is - as long as it is attainable - but it does matter that you realize why it is important to keep that resolution. It teaches you to follow through on a promise. If you can’t keep a promise to yourself, how can you keep promises to others? It teaches you that you really do have the will power to do the things you set your mind to do.
So this year, as the temptations come to not follow through on your resolution, remember that your resolution is not something you decided to do just because it sounded like a good thing to do. Remember that it is a promise, a promise that you made to yourself. It is teaching you how to make reachable goals, how to keep your promises and how to grow stronger as an individual.
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