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Gretchen Rubin's appearance on Super Soul Sunday inspired this weeks mantra. Her break-out book "the Happiness Project" is steps she took every month for a year focusing on what she wanted to change in life. We are coming up to that time again of resolutions for 2016. January 1st comes and our list is long.
A few years back a friend of mine decided he was going to exercise twice daily, eat healthy frozen meals every day and quit smoking all on Jan 1st. I didn't want to burst his bubble or crush his enthusiasm. He was so excited! I knew he wanted to feel better and be healthier and I wanted to support him. I told him if it were me I'd start with one thing, maybe one daily exercise session and then add things once exercising was a habit. It only takes 21 days to create a habit.
He assured me he had a plan and he knew would be successful. Going from no exercise at all to twice daily, and healthy eating from a junk food diet and heavy smoking to being super healthy and motivated was going to be easy. I was routing for him. These changes were really important on a many levels.
I'm a huge believer in keeping "overwhelm" and "guilt" in check. I knew intuitively he was not going to be able to do ALL THAT at once. And... not doing what you say you really want creates more guilt, leading you right back to those bad habits. "Tomorrow I'll start" becomes your mantra, as you fill yourself with food and substances that you feel bad about doing afterwards.
This week pick an important area of your life. Make it something you think about a lot already and take one small step towards making it happen. If you want to pray and meditate daily, wake up in the morning 5-15 minutes earlier or do it before bed. If you are a social bunny and need to get out, make monthly dates with friends. Make the arrangements you need to make that happen.
One of my priorities is to feel good. Making small changes over time can make you feel better, and give you a sense of competence and confidence. Don't make "tomorrow I'll start" your mantra! I may just read Gretchen's "the Happiness Project" again and start step by step next year.
What small step will you do this week to create more happiness? I am here for you! I want you to feel good. Watch out...sharing it and writing it down will help make it happen.
XoTatiana
ps. Nov. 11th is the new moon. Stay tuned for your new moon oracle card reading! New moons are for creating so this is a perfect time for fashioning your life with more of what thrills you and brings joy.
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