We have a love/hate relationship with resolutions.

On the one hand, we feel like we are infinitely more productive and well on our way to accomplishing our dreams with what amounts to a “To Do” list.

(Personally, I luuuurve being organized.  I have lists for everything!)

i-wont-write-you-a-love-song-flickr-lady-ayumi

On the other hand, after the initial blush of optimism has worn off, our beautiful resolutions look rather intimidating and chore-like.  Our enthusiasm for our resolutions has a shelf life of about a month.

So resolutions are out.

Now what?

question

Get yourself a theme!

WordPress has ‘em, interior decor has it, and you can have one too!

.

2008:  Engage

Last year I chose ‘engage’, as in I wanted to more fully engage my life.

picard-engage

In 2008, I quit my career path of a decade and cut off all my hair and went on an insane meditation retreat and bought the Love Bungalow and radically reorganized my finances so I could cease being a slave to a paycheck and instead do what I love.  I also got rid of my car and got a sassy retro bike instead.

More importantly, I finally-  fully – forgave my father which is a frustrating path which has taken the better part of my life.

So, though I chose ‘engage’ with the intention of more fully engaging my life, I ended up more fully engaging myself – authentically and honestly.

2009:  Discipline

Night Writer recently wrote a fascinating article about how America’s lack of self-discipline is what has lead us to the obesity and credit crises.

In it, he states “Self-government is the highest and purest form of government.”

two-girls-exercising-flickr-mike-baird

And I finally realized the truth about change, about power.  Change is not a simple declaration, and power is not contained in a title.  Mastery can only stem from self-mastery.  Command can only stem from self-command.  Discipline can only stem from self-discipline.

Gandhi said that we must be the change we want to see in the world.  Anyone who has tried to make sustainable changes in their own lives can attest: change is not easy.

The foundation of purpose-driven change is discipline.

And so, in 2009, my theme is “discipline”.  What’s yours?