Something is different this year!

 

To be honest with you, I did not want to make any New Year resolutions.  I can’t even begin to tell you why because I don’t even know why. I just sensed that this year would be different for me but I couldn’t even begin to tell you how. I looked up the definition to “New Year’s resolution” in Merriam-Webster dictionary: “a promise to do something differently in the New Year”. Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Have you thought about what you want to do differently this year than last year?

 The more I thought about it, I made up my mind to continue what I was doing last year when it comes to my health, but God interjected lol. I’ve been able to manage my diabetes by watching what I eat and exercising. Managing any type of chronic illness is difficult and I’ve learned it takes perseverance, will power, and determination to do so. I am very happy with my blood sugar readings, except for the occasional slip up of eating heavy carb meals. Let’s not talk about the holidays, okay? I even managed to lose weight and inches off my waist. I like putting on an old top or pair of pants and feel the difference. However, I did not lose all the weight that I wanted to lose last year. I reached a “plateau” and for a while I was disappointed and wondered “why even bother continuing to go to the gym or watching what I eat if this is going to happen?” It was the great debate going on in my mind and in the past, I used to just give up. Later, usually in the new year, I would wallow in self-pity, regret, and SMH for not following through. This year, I asked God what is something that I can do differently with my health? Thinking He would just give me an “atta girl” (which He did) and send me on my merry way. But Perseverance & Discipline is what I sensed, establish a regimen and stick to it. You don’t necessarily need new resolutions; you might need to have a different tactic on achieving your old resolutions, establish different behavior. So, I’ve asked God to give me wisdom and discernment in this area because it’s not my strong point.

 If you are one that has goals to change your health and achieve wellness-be it medical, physical, mental, or emotional-ask yourself, what can I do differently this year? All last year, I listened to a podcast called, The Joshua Mentality and if you haven’t heard of it, then my friend-you are missing out!! “Success is your destiny!” is his motto and that has kept me going on my goals last year. I even put that motto as part of my email signature at work and everyday it was a reminder to achieve my “success”. You too can achieve your success! Another literature that helped me this year was going through my friend’s 30 day devotional book titled “30 Days of Motivation Devotional: God + Mental Health Peace = Freedom” (available on Amazon). It changed my life so much that I bought a few as gifts to some of my friends!! I even have a goal to go over it again, even doing the activities, because it helped me focus on my mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. A friend of mine sent me a vegan cookbook for Christmas without knowing that I’ve been asking God for guidance on changing my eating. Another friend of mine gave me a water tumbler (24 oz) without knowing that I’ve been struggling with my water intake.  Looking back, I can see how God has been orchestrating things in my life that will lead to making a difference in my health. I have a long way to go. Small or trivial steps may lead you to bigger success, it’s time to focus on the behavior. God says “whoever is faithful with little is also faithful with much”. Perseverance and Discipline.

 Let me leave you with something my father said: “Resolutions are simply decisions. Make better decisions daily rather than making a once a year resolution.”

 

Warm Wishes,

Carline