All of us have wished at some point in our lives to get a “do-over.” In fact, we spend quite a bit of time thinking about the things we wish we could do over. I guess it’s just part of our struggle to stay in the present.
The new year is one time when do-overs may be appropriate. I think of New Year’s Resolutions as do-overs. If you take a close look at your list of resolutions, you will probably find a whole bunch of things that you want to correct. You want to be thinner – a do-over of all the eating you have done that you shouldn’t have done. You want to exercize more – a do-over of all those times you sat on the couch and watched tv. You want to have a better relationship with your child – a do-over for all those times when you lost your temper or didn’t get a chance to say what you really felt because you were so busy saying what you thought you should say.
Let’s look at the new year as a chance to be in the moment and act differently. The goal here is so that next year we don’t need any do-overs. Not that we won’t make mistakes, we all will. But rather that we are so busy enjoying all of the joys (as well as the challenges) of the here and now that we don’t think there is any need to look back at what we should have done differently.
Here are a few suggestions:
We resolve to listen first and think second.
We resolve to ask our teenager what they think (about anything).
We resolve to look for chances to be with our kids – in the here and now.
We resolve to put down our digital devices as a family for one night a week. (Ouch…)
Just a few ideas. I know you can think of many, many more. Just work to stay in the here and now and to be aware of what is being said as opposed to your reaction to it. Not as easy as it sounds.
