The start of a new calendar year is traditionally considered a good time to take stock and make plans for the future and people are encouraged to make ‘a new year’s resolution’. The joke is often made about how quickly these good intentions give way to a resumption of past behaviour, which makes people feel even worse! However, as I write this, we have just had ‘Blue Monday’, which is supposed to be the most depressing day in the calendar year. Therefore, I want to suggest how to make a positive change, or new resolution, any time of the year and under any circumstances.
The first thing to remember is that the universe is good at change. It is happening where ever you look, on this planet and everywhere beyond. For example, in our garden, despite the cold weather we are currently experiencing, bulbs can be seen pushing through the soil and the first snowdrops are preparing to open, as the picture above illustrates. This is because energy is constantly changing form.
Some scientists who have studied quantum physics have suggested that it looks as if the world we know is made of ‘mind-stuff’; energy that takes on the form that the observer is measuring. Perhaps thought is more powerful than we have imagined? Sometimes, even a passing thought can develop into an interesting idea and that can become a new goal, which may lead to a small but significant improvement or even become a life-changing shift in direction.
So often, in my experience, good ideas founder because the thinker cannot see how to take the first step or is apprehensive about the consequences, especially failure! The simple solution is to ask for help. This may take the form of a request to another person or group or organisation. It can also be a plea for inspiration and fulfilment to the ‘mind-stuff’ itself, which some of us call prayer.
Thus, my revolutionary proposal, which I am asking you, the reader of this post, to consider employing in this year and beyond, can be reduced to an easily remembered formula in mathematical style (as beloved by a certain type of self-help literature):
R=C+T+G+A
Where R=Resolution; C= Change; T=Thought; G=Goal; and A=Ask.
If you want time to consider this, why don’t you browse around this web site using the menu bar above? If you want to let me know what you think, why don’t you use the email link provided? Whatever you decide to do, I hope this year is good for you.
Paul Newman
January 2019
