Christmas is over, and a new year is approaching. Now is the time people start making New Year’s resolutions that they’ll probably break or forget by the end of the month. I have a better idea this year. . . .
Instead of writing down a list of all the things you are going to change this year, spend some time writing down a list of things that you don’t want to change.
In other words, write down a list of the things you are grateful for. Take stock of your life and write down your blessings. You don’t have to remember everything at once. You can come back and add to it later.
This is practical. Things tend to change suddenly in our life, such as if you lose your job. This can be unexpected. The problem is that we’ll be unable to focus on the positive aspects that aren’t affected. We’ll only be able to focus on the problems.
This distorts our picture of life. We will think the whole world is collapsing around us, when in reality most of the things we are most grateful for will remain intact.
So, take a few minutes to think hard about this. Create a list of blessings, the things you are most thankful for in your life that you wouldn’t change for the world.
Then, if trouble or stress comes upon you, remember to pick up your list and see if your worries are truly as bad as you think they are.