The secret to keeping your New Year's resolution

The world is not a pretty place of candy canes and dandelions. Part of the reason why New Year’s resolutions can be sometimes so effective is because you are resolving an issue. Sure, you really could have lost weight in June or decided not to be jealous for your ex-partner the day after the breakup, but the fact that the resolution is based on something deeper makes it a lot more real and attainable.

In fact, why did you have to wait until the new year to reflect on yourself? Look around you: people are in such bad shape. Do you have to wait till December 31 to help them out? Stop finding another excuse to find meaning from other things in your attempts to be a better person. Events do not prescribe meaning to actions; you do it to your own. Take charge and lawyer up.

Also, we seem to forget that in the spirit of trying to be a better human being, we lose track of the little things around us that we never appreciate. When was the last time you thanked your parents for being complete rockstars? Why do you complain about having no friends, when you have a Facebook page full of them that you just cannot be bothered to catch up with? Perhaps a little appreciation is more than the resolution you need for the next lap.

Here is my suggestion: do not coin the resolution as a ‘resolution’. Think of it as an affirmation, one that life is great because of its ups and downs but you are thankful for where you are and hopeful of where it can go to. Once you can commit to affirming existence (I’m sorry if this sounds cheesy), life inevitable takes a turn for the better, resolution or not.