Best New Year's Resolution: To Thine Own Self Be True

As 2006 starts chugging to a close, the inevitable question begins to arise: What is your New Year's resolution going to be? My suggestion is to take a moment, or two, and consider a little of Shakespeare's best advice: "to thine own self be true."

Some people make too many New Year's resolutions, others make the anti-resolution resolution. The truth is that no goal is worth undertaking unless it reflects who you truly are. We are constantly bombarded with external opinions and beliefs from other people. We get them from the news, the internet, mother-in-laws. The list is endless. It seems that even the kid whipping out macchiatos to AM commuters has some small tidbit of advice to add to our over-stimulated minds.

The additional burden of thinking about what to make for a New Year's resolution is likely what drives many people into year's end melancholy. The likely failure of a daunting task like losing 100 lbs before Memorial Day (when unnecessary) or saving half your paycheck each month (when you know you can't) just adds to the clutter of the mind. The changes you desire will happen naturally when you clear your head for a moment and listen to yourself.

It sounds simple enough but when was the last time you actually did this? With the constant din of things to be done, people to please and deadlines to meet blaring in your noggin' it's not possible. The term "I can't hear myself think" has become the modern day mantra that is exacerbated by constant contact to the outer world through cell phones, television and the internet. Before you sign yourself up for a New Year's resolution be sure it is something you want for yourself, not what others deem necessary.

Now is a good time of the year to reconnect with yourself, BEFORE the holidays and new year. The first thing you can do is simple, just breathe. Take a deep breath and breathe in possibilities. When you let it go, send all the pressures, nagging thoughts, and aggravations with it. Congratulations, you've just started being true to yourself by kicking the garbage of the mind to the curb. If you listen, you might even be able to hear one of your own unique thoughts bubbling to the surface.

The next thing to do is just as easy, go for a walk. It can be five minutes or an hour, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you tell yourself you are taking a break and pounding some earth. The best way to change perspective is to do it physically. Without perspective, a New Year's resolution isn't worth the sticky note you scribble it on. A walk will give you the quiet time you need to slow down and listen to your own voice. As sappy as that may sound it's not necessarily about getting in touch with your feelings. All it means is that you have instincts, ideas and knowledge that are valuable.

If you are contemplating a particular New Year's resolution, your walk might be a good time to mull it over free and clear from annoying distractions. Why would I do that? What is my motivation? Will that resolution make me happy? You might discover that your original goal is not really a priority for you and likely the busy body babbling of someone else. Put it aside for awhile and don't worry about it just yet.

As your head clears you might realize that your New Year's resolution is simply doing the things you've just done and that you've already got a head start to 2007. Listening to your own voice will make the first day of January a clear day, even if you had a little too much champagne the night before. Throughout the remaining days of 2006, into the New Year and on as many days possible, remember Shakespeare's advice and to thine own self be true.