A completely fresh start - with support.

So, following on from the last post - do read it through to make sense of this one if you have just happened by - perhaps you now have a list of possible New Year Resolutions. Perhaps you have a list of definite resolutions. Perhaps you have one or two specific resolutions that of themselves could significantly change your life. Put them/it on paper in front of you and/or at the centre of your thoughts.

The picture I've chosen from a recent walk when snow was falling thickly is of a walkway and a bridge in Colinton Dell in Edinburgh. In snow all the details are obliterated and only the shapes and structures can be clearly seen.

The metaphor for me here is of the possibility of this time of year (northern hemisphere that is) of a completely fresh start. There's not a deciduous leaf in sight. All that is to be recreated in spring. There are two spindly trees in the middle covered in ivy, and without getting into discussion on ivy in particular it might be worth looking again at your list in terms of which resolutions are deciduous and which evergreen. Deciduous would be for specific time-limited goals and possibilities and evergreen of course are the perennials which stay on the list. These might be health-related resolutions and ones based on knowing your character well and what you have to do to support the survival of your best self. If there's anything left on your list of resolutions that is there because it was there last year, but that isn't really, totally,important and relevant to you now and in the future cross it off. Missing it already? reword it in a way that is up to date.

In terms of making your resolutions stick, actually carrying through with them to receive the benefits you sense are possible, there's another interesting metaphor here. What really catches my eye in the photo are the man-made structures, the stark beauty of the steps down to the river and of the bridge.What do you make of them in your imagination?

No way would anyone want to climb down that bank or get across that river in that weather without that strong bridge! So the question that forms is:

What do you need to construct so that you can carry through your resolutions, even when things are tough - as in tough emotional/financial/circumstantial 'weather'. I was able to walk through there in ice and snow because someone had constructed what made it easy for me. Who's helping you? Yourself? Friends? Family? Colleagues? a Mentor? a Coach?

Make sure you've got adequate answers to that question (you are allowed to have help!!) and start considering building the structures.

One helpful 'structure' is declaring your resolutions to others. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what can be constructed to support new resolutions.

Comments

[Kevin Gianni]

Hey Judy,

Thanks for your comments on my blog... here is one on yours...

These pictures are amazing! :-)

Great metaphor about what you would create when things are tough... I think many people don't consider that and it gets them into trouble!

Live Awesome!
Kevin