How many times have you resolved to lose weight, eat better, drink less, stop smoking, work out, or call your family?  You’re not alone.  According to http://www.usa.gov, the most popular resolutions are: to lose weight, manage debt, save money, get a better job, get fit, eat right, get a better education, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, reduce stress, take a trip and volunteer.  It’s not hard to make list upon list of all the problems we need to solve.  Resolutions tend to focus on what we are doing wrong; they are broad and long term.  The danger of making these lists around the New Year is that they are often forgotten or broken within a week – or a month if you’re lucky.  Have you ever resolved to go on a diet, only to eat a second helping of dessert the next day?  When this happens, the tendency is to spiral into negative-speak and defeatist thinking, which doesn’t get us anywhere except staying at the same weight and feeling angry with ourselves.     

All we have is today – and each day we are given the opportunity to make choices.  So, instead of making resolutions, let’s look at an alternative – setting intentions.  An intention, according to Encarta, is something you plan to do or the “quality or state of having a purpose in mind.”  Intentions connote a more immediate state of mind.  “I intend to eat only until I am full.”  Intentions can be set every day, or right before a meeting, party or event.  Setting positive, short-term goals feels more manageable and more realistic for many of us.

When we stop looking at what is wrong, we begin to see what is right.  Do you really think it matters if you haven’t been able to lose five pounds and your kitchen cupboards are disorganized?  Perspective comes from gratitude.  Try looking at what is going well in your life.  If you are overweight, be grateful that you have food on your table.  Stop complaining that you don’t have the latest Blackberry, and be grateful that you do have a phone that works and people who care enough to call you.  If you feel underutilized at work, find ways to be more helpful and be thankful that you have a job in this economy. 

If you need more help with gratitude, try writing a list of your blessings or doing something of service to others.  Find a local soup kitchen or visit a nursing home.  You can also call Volunteer Services at JCS 410-466-9200 or visit http://www.jcsbaltimore.org/volunteer. 

The Alcoholics Anonymous twelve-step recovery program reminds members that life is “One Day at a Time.”  Here are some thoughts selected from one of their brochures, “Just for Today.”

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once.

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my “luck” as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do - just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

By Colleen Brady Lippens, Health Educator, Prevention Education, Jewish Community Services, Baltimore, MD

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Jewish Community Services helps you solve life’s puzzles, offering you guidance and support when you are looking for solutions.  For more information, call 410-466-9200 or visit http://www.jcsbaltimore.org.  JCS is an agency of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.