Why do we make resolutions? I know I make them hoping to get closer to or fulfill what I feel is my purpose in life. When I resolve to do something or change my perspective, I imagine it will lead me to happiness. Isn’t that what everyone wants in one way or another – to be happy?  One way to find happiness is to practice self care, or what I call soul care. Here are 22 resolutions that I make on a regular basis that help me to do that.

1. When you wake up each morning, imagine what you want to put attention on for the day.  What matters to you? What do you want to enliven in your life?  Maybe you want to keep an eye (or an ear) out for beauty, or intuition. It could be to remember to love yourself, or practice being a good listener, or bring your attention to the present moment, experience joy, notice coincidences, and so on.  What you put your attention on is enlivened in your awareness. You can decide what you want to focus on each day.
2. Discover a new practice to nourish your mind and body. Use your imagination. You might learn a new way of cooking, eating, or exercising; learn meditation, nurture or express yourself artistically through painting, yoga, dance, public speaking, etc. Try it, even if what you imagine scares you.
3. Slow down every once and a while.  Life is delicious, but we can miss it when we race around. No matter what you are doing, whether you are eating, showering, talking, driving, exercising, walking, reading, working, or giving a gift, savor the moments.  Don’t rush or blow yourself off. Give yourself the gift of the present.
4. Get outside every day. And this does not mean getting into your car and driving to work. Put your feet on the ground. Smell the air. Look at the sky and the stars. Notice the wind.  Take a 10- to 30-minute walk in nature every day – without talking on your cell phone. And while you walk, give yourself a smile and at least 10 full, deep breaths.
5. Give your time to people over the age of 70 and under the age of 20. Or if you are over 70 or under 20, choose to be with generations other than your own.
6. Sit in silence and meditate for at least 15 minutes each day; it clears the channels of communication between you and your source. Prayer is also a nourishing practice. 
7. Literally listen to those around you. Assume they are telling you what they mean, and believe them. Don’t be a mind reader.
8. Listen to your own intuition or wisdom. Ask yourself: What do I really want? How can I best love myself? How can I use my talents in the world? Sit in the silence and simply listen. The answers will come. Promise. As my friend Byron Katie says, “The answer always meets the question. It just may not be according to your schedule.”
9. Say what you mean. Be authentic. It’s a challenge at first, especially for those of us who are really concerned about what other people think of them.  Say “yes” when you mean “yes,” and “no” when you mean “no.” You’ll make it easy on yourself and everyone else this way. And you’ll save a lot of time and trouble.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants. Remember the source of your food.
11. Drink plenty of water, and not out of plastic bottles.
12. Reduce, reuse, and recycle – even more than last year. It’s a sweet thing to do, as we are all sharing this planet. And add rethink, repurpose, remember… refuse – especially anything with too much plastic.
13. Give away anything you don’t find useful, beautiful, or joyful.  Clear the extra stuff from your house, your car, your desk, your computer, your relationships and make room for new energy into your world. Fix those little things that drive you crazy, day after day.
14. Don’t contaminate your body with toxins: whether they are toxic food or drink, toxic emotions, environments, or toxic relationships. Choose nourishing experiences for yourself. You know what they are.
15. Share your time and talents freely to others, and practice receiving what the universe provides. Whether you realize it or not, the universe is always on your side.
16. You don’t have to win every argument, or have the last word. Even though we all want to be right, let yourself agree to disagree, or see what happens when you remain silent.  A friend of mine sometimes says in the midst of differing viewpoints, “You could be right,” and this usually makes everyone happy.
17. This moment, this one right now, is the only moment that you can really experience. Get used to putting your attention right here and now. This is where the action is. You know your attention isn’t in the present when you feel depressed, ashamed, or anxious. Train your awareness through mindfulness practices or meditation.
18. Listen to your body’s wisdom and its sensations of comfort and discomfort. When making a choice – whether ordering off a menu or deciding who to spend time with, ask yourself, “How do I feel about this?” and pay attention to your body.  It really all boils down to either a “yum” or a “yuck”. Your body doesn’t lie. It is always in the present moment, and that is where wisdom can be found.
19. Don’t compare or judge your life or others’ lives. Who really knows what is happening here. You have no idea what their path in life is all about. As ancient wisdom states, ”Karma is unfathomable.”
20. Become more self-referral, more independent. Give up your need for the agreement or approval of others as you walk your own path.  You are the wise one. Listen to your intuition. You usually do know best.
21. Know that the world “out there” reflects your reality “in here.” The people you react most strongly to, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world. You can learn from those who drive you crazy, or whom you admire. They are there for us to become more self aware.  What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself. What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself.

22. Each night before you go to bed, take a moment to be grateful, you could find three things, or let the list go on and on. Or simply say, “Thank You.”

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