The New Year’s Resolution
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling | Articles
The New Year is just around the corner and with it comes the New Year’s Resolution. As far back as ancient Babylon, promises were made at the start of each year, mostly to return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans made promises to Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions – for which the month of January is named, and in the Medieval era, the Knights took the “peacock Vow” to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry.
I wonder if reaffirming a commitment to chivalry would be easier than losing weight or the most popular resolution of the 20th and 21st centuries, spending more time with family and friends. And if in ancient times, they waited until the New Year to return borrowed items, pay their debts, and make promises to Janus, thank goodness for the turn of the century.
New Year’s resolutions are made worldwide, from the family gathered around the kitchen table on New Year’s Day, to the U.S. government providing a list of resolutions and resources for achieving them – unfortunately, to no avail. Psychologist say 40% – 52% of us will make resolutions in 2014, however less than 12% of us will “stick it out”. You don’t have to be in that 12%. Counseling services can help.
Humans are creatures of habit and repetition. Changing things we do or have done automatically is difficult. We reach for the cigarette, the chocolate, and the soda without thinking. Impulse buying, both in the stores and online, is status quo for some, while an addiction for others. We want to eat healthy and exercise, yet fast food, a drive- thru, and a $.99 menu is cheap, easy, and time saving. Gym memberships are expensive, it’s raining, it’s snowing, the treadmill is in the cold garage – who has the time? Resolutions are like goals, they require us to do things differently – to upset patterns and routines. With the guidance and support of a counselor you can do this! You’re not alone.
Let 2014 be the year your resolutions account for more than goals scratched on a lined pad, or words spoken in vain. Improving Lives Counseling Services can remove the uncertainty and stress that comes with making a change. A resolution is different from a goal. Our counselors will help you define the difference, develop a plan or road map, and provide a source of accountability throughout the process. You can stop smoking, stop drinking, stop shopping, stop spending, eat healthy, lose weight, pay your debts, return borrowed items, and for those knights out there, support your reaffirmation to chivalry. Call us.
