What's this New Year's Resolution Stuff About?

Ever since I can remember, I have loved New Year's Eve!  I have always been captivated by the magic, the cheers, the joy, the hope of a new day, the promise of tomorrow.  Throughout childhood, it was one of those days that a typically chaotic and clashing family was seemingly in a state of bliss, a state of renewing and much awaited annual fondue parties.  Perhaps the same state that I viewed  New Year's Eve through my crystal ball.  Or perhaps it was simply from growing up watching Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve the majority of my childhood and even into my adult life.  

Although held in a state of magical bliss and promise, I was often perplexed by the grown-ups around me talking of "New Year's Resolutions".  When I was allowed to mingle some with these grown-ups, I took every chance I had to obtain their various views and ideas on what a New Year's Resolution was all about.  Requesting the origin and the purpose and the reasons.  I did not understand why this was even 'a thing'.  Upon getting the often thwarted and vague cookie cutter responses, I was plagued by the still unanswered question in my mind, "why don't they just do that all year?".  

Now, well in to adulthood and yes, the daunting term, middle age, I see the answers that I once was unsatisfied with, becoming slightly more clear.  As I awoke this morning, my mind was in full gear about what the last day of 2015 meant to me.  Through the years, I have gravitated more towards the value of the year ending, then what the new year may hold or what I desire to accomplish.  While still in bed after reflecting on this briefly, and then, reading a powerful Facebook message posted,  my blog adrenaline begin flowing.  A surge of promise ran through me for what I desire for the new year, 2016!  

Throughout my life, I have worked very hard to do everything the right way, to not screw up, to not make mistakes, to be the best at everything.  Due to life experiences and disappointments, some little and some quite traumatic, this perfectionism, as one would call it, manifested itself in me three fold, especially, in the past 15 years.  A lot of success and positivity resulted yet, was also was so intense it was more times than not, counterproductive and resulted in living with blinders on, a lot of self imposed stress, and anxiety.  

So, in thinking about the value of 2015, I realize it's what drives the desire for change and resolutions in 2016.  As the Facebook quote says, "I never lose, either I win or learn".  This year in the silence and stillness of the morning, what flooded through me was to screw up, make mistakes, be okay with mediocrity.  It won't be to the point of complete and utter failure (hopefully) but, it will be to the point of truly being okay with it!  

One of many great audiobooks I listened to over the years planted the seed for this in me!  Whether it is a little mistake or a big mistake, learning to be okay with it, content, learning to grow from it and have a take away from it, every single time!  

That child of yesterday spoke to me this morning.  My take away from all of those fondue parties mingling with the grown-ups, and the clarity that I am currently developing as one myself, is...that all of you making New Year's Resolutions...keep making them, aim high, yet be okay with with mistakes and failures no matter how big or small.  Set a goal to change or simply adjust your angle on the mistake and failure.  Mistakes and failures continuously lay the foundation for growth.  

​As long as there is a New Year, there is promise, there is bliss, there is growth, there is renewal, there is change.  Maybe, it's just one day that you reflect on it; maybe it will be lasting.  Yes, there are mistakes, failures, chaos and clashing too!  My challenge, and yours, if it applies, as we march into 2016 is to accept them, manage them, develop and grow from them!  

CHEERS my friends!  Here is to delighting in happily screwing up!
​- Coach Lou

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