Resolutions for Joy in 2016
By Maceo Keeling –
Like many other people, I have made ambitious resolutions for the New Year.
Our resolutions range from achievable and reasonable, to downright ridiculous! However, some are fundamental common sense: please resolve to eat right, exercise, stop smoking, to keep in touch, to write that book, or get to church.
Remember, though, in an already pressurized society we heap additional pressure on ourselves to perform. Statistics have proven that by June of this year most resolutions will have become little more than just a memory. That is when we become disappointed, disillusioned and frustrated.
All is not lost! Permit me to help with some possible ideas for this New Year:
Be kind to yourself and others. Studies have shown that frequent short interactions with pleasant people can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Smile and laugh a lot! It takes fewer facial muscles to smile that to frown. Smiling keeps the wrinkles down and we know that laughter is nature’s medicine. Laughter promotes healing and helps with circulation – and doesn’t hurt in your personal relationships either.
Drink lots of water. Water is a natural appetite suppressant and will help keep you in good health. Close to 80% of all Americans are dehydrated over 50% of the time. Sodas and sugar drinks contribute to dehydration, and the sugar lowers the immune system for six to eight hours. Reducing sodas and sugar consumption will have a huge impact on your weight-reduction goals and save you some money as well.
Listen to the Conscious Call Radio Program on WRES-FM- 100.7FM, and read my column monthly in The Urban News. This year promises to bring valuable information, great guests, and helpful insights to our community. The Conscious Call airs on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 11:30 a.m.
Buy local. When we spend our dollars in our community we are helping ourselves, and we develop relationships with folks we know.
Adopt, Volunteer and Donate. We all have much to be thankful for in our lives. While things seem tight and money is often short, we can donate and old coat or clothes to a local shelter. We can get that old jalopy out of the driveway. We can adopt a school or a classroom and donate some school supplies to help our teachers to help our children.
Get in your children’s business. Ask your children and grandchildren what’s going on in their lives – and listen! Don’t accept one-word answers like, “nothing…” or “fine.” Engage, interact and enjoy one-on-one this time together. Read to your children, even if they are teenagers. You could introduce them to an idea that sparks a fire and a storm of interest in something that changes their life.
Learn how to use the features on your phone the internet and or a tablet. Get connected and stay connected. Learn how best to stay engaged with people you want to keep close. Pick a new app to expand your mind through new technology – try new things.
Seek out your faith in action. Whatever you believe or think about a faith-based relationship, pursue a fellowship! Learn about the source, and if it’s of interest to you, get involved. Health studies have also proven that people who have a faith-based relationship tend to live longer, healthier lives!
Just remember that just because something isn’t difficult, it doesn’t mean it isn’t important. It is often the little things we ignore that have the greatest benefits and meaning in our lives.
We don’t have to be great to get something started, but we do have to get started to make something great!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Answer the Call!
The Conscious Call radio program airs every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on WRES-FM 100.7. In a collaboration with the radio program, the Urban News will help keep readers informed about events, programs, news, and the progress of The Conscious Call. The opinions and statements made in this column are solely the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of the Urban News.
