New Year

Inspiration, New Year intentions, Wisdom

A Different Take on NY Resolutions

January 8, 2023January 11, 2023 Mona Alvarado Frazier

Sunday share has to be about the new year, right?

To have or not to have new year’s resolutions. That is the question.
me

I found a few articles about the new year (some may be behind a paywall).

Making a New Year’s Resolution? Don’t go to war with yourself.
A New Year doesn’t call for a new you.
You do you this new year. (I made that one up, but the title stands).

“Only 8% of people stick with them (resolutions) the entire year.”- Psychology Today.

I’m in the 92% area, like most of you.

However, I make general writing goals, so I can finish manuscripts. Regarding other areas, what works better for me is to pick one word for the year.

My word for this year is NOURISH. Feeding my body, mind, and spirit, as well as others, is the guiding word for my year.

I can manage 24 hours, and afterward, I feel more accomplished.

The 13th Century poet Rumi gives us an example with his poem:

The Guest House


This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.

Because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Good things will come this year, as well as bad. Hold your intention close and use it for guidance and insight. Do you have a word or phrase to live by this year? Or are you in that 8%?

Inspiration, poetry

What are Your Yes’s and No’s for 2020?

December 31, 2019January 1, 2020 Mona Alvarado Frazier

Re-reading my 2018 journal entry, I see that I wrote: “I am content.”

In 2019, I did a lot of stuff, traveled a few places, wrote a whole lot, read 37 books, spent too much time on Netflix, and laughed a lot.

I hope to do more of the same in 2020.

Another entry that I read in my reflection is this, a part of a poem by Esther Cohen, Writer, and Poet in New York City. I loved the intent then, and now. I say ‘YES’ to this:

I’ll try instead to hear more music,

to open my arms wider,

to read more

of other people’s beautiful sentences

and write a few myself.

For 2020, Ms. Cohen wrote a few verses of what she won’t do, which made me laugh because I’m like-minded. Here’s an excerpt:

I will not sign up for a Tai Chi class

even though more or less everyone

says it’s a Good Idea. Tried a few times.

No dice.

I will not stop eating

gluten, sugar, and everything else white.

So, ‘NO’, I will not go on Keto, or take Pilates, or keep up with Facebook or Instagram, or be unkind, or burn myself out, or burn someone else out.

‘YES,’ I will read, I will write most days, I will take a chance, visit abroad, hike a little more, binge Outlander Season 4 and whatever else I love on Netflix/Hulu, and I will partake of dark chocolate and red wine.

I like the simplicity of saying ‘YES’ to ideas/actions and ‘NO’ to others, especially without guilt or anger.

Now go fill a few lines in a notepad with “I’m saying YES to:” and “I’m saying NO to:”

Tag: New Year

A Different Take on NY Resolutions