Oh the New Year…. Everywhere you see signs, commercials, social media posts and billboards advertising “New Year, New You.” We all make resolutions to get to the gym, cut out the junk food, meet Mrs/Mr Right, get out of debt, budget better and there is nothing wrong with any of those things!! We could all use a better budget and probably to eat less simple carbs… especially after the holidays. But this year be encouraged to not create a brand new you, but finesse the you that’s already there and Do Less or Do More. Radical changes that turn things on their heads usually tend to end in disappointing failure which can cause even the most devote of us to doubt if we are ever going to be capable of change.

But what if instead we took stock of what we wanted, were honest with ourselves…not with our best intentions but with our real selves and instead of resolutions made Less/More lists. This year I have decided to Waste Less… of not only nature’s resources but also my time and energy on things that are not good for me. I’ve decided to Judge (both myself and others) Less in order to extend grace and understanding, to be Hurt Less in that every painful situation should not derail me continuing to live my life to the best of my abilities. To Doubt Less in my abilities and talents, in my own worth and potential and to Fear Less… to let fear have it’s rightful place but not take over from me the joy and growth that new experiences and tough situations can bring forth. I also decided to Reflect More on my surroundings and my place in the world, to Care (for both myself and others) More in that it’s ultimately my responsibility to be there for myself and I can extend that care to others until they are able to do so for themselves also. I decided to Explore More and Read More of the world around me in order that I can Grow More from experience and Learn More from others. I also decided to Accept More both the things I cannot change but wish I could, the people I encounter who are who they are and my own shortcomings and missteps. I have decided to Reach Out More to others, Connect More with the community and people around me and Love More in situations that I could use or might even feel called to insert hateful words, closed ears or turned backs, to decide that in spite of everything I will Love More.

I don’t need to be a New Me in this New Year… I needed to take stock of the things most important to me, evaluate and be honest about the things and people in my life and what I want from my life in order to come to the decision that this year…. This will be the year of More and Less of what I decide to make it. So what will you make it??