It's that time of year for us to be honest. No matter how you shake it or bake it, the Holidays bring out the best and the worst in people. On Thanksgiving Day, friends and family gather around a feast and give thanks for all that they have. The following day, Black Friday, many of those who gave pious thanks the day before, are willing to beat the hell out of others just to get what they perceive as some kind of bargain. And that buying frenzy continues until midnight, December 24th. On New Year's Eve, it seems that all the amateur drinkers hit the streets and cause all sorts of mayhem (see my post - My Top Ten Reasons To Stay Home New Year's Eve, 9/3/2012). Then sometime between December 25th and January 1st, many folks attempt to do something worthwhile for themselves and others; they make New Year's Resolutions.
For a few reasons, or, maybe because it's just the end of one year and the beginning of the next, people resolve to make course corrections in their lives. While many people do this, there are some that are cynical enough that they just don't bother. Those that do want to lose weight, become a better parent, spouse, a better person, or make more money, etc. Unfortunately, most of those resolutions fall woefully short of their mark. I believe that this happens because of either poor planning or the lack thereof. There are two times a year when good planning helps us reach our goals, our resolutions for improvement.
For people who understand the real meaning of the Yuletide season, the keeping of a true Yule involves the reviewing of the past 12 months and the planning of a prosperous new year; it is a true heartfelt effort. This prosperity can take on many forms, too many to mention in this post. The real point is that proper planning is essential or the resolution is nothing more than empty words. The second period of review and planning comes during the individual's birthday cycle/season (see my post - Life Cycles - 5/28/2012). The planning and execution are the same for both seasons and, one season can be used to reinforce the other. But all in all, there is a thing or two that are needed for success.
A person needs to be honest about his or her personal review. Here, honesty involves not just deep reflection, but taking ownership of all short-comings. The next step is the want to and resolve to do better. The final step is the actual planning. Again, honesty is necessary. The truth is, you will not succeed in one giant leap; that thinking is a recipe for failure. Something that I refer to as step planning and working within your personal realm of availability is required. Understand that when you advance your personal realm of availability you advance your plan.
When we put a man on the Moon in July of 1969, we did so by taking one step at a time, learning from our successes and our sad failures. We did not just put three guys on the top of a rocket, blast off, and hope for the best. It was step planning and working in the realm of availability (the realm that we have attained through the execution of the plan - we grew). When it comes to our personal rectification and goals, we must do the same. Step planning and working within our personal realm of availability is a recipe for success.
However, it does help to have a bit of intestinal fortitude. You may be stalled in your forward progress; do not be discouraged - it's normal. We humans do not know when the cross-currents of life will affect us. Look at it in this manner: that stall/setback tells you that a possible adjustment to your plan is needed. And, that is not a bad thing, so chuck the discouragement. It's also a great time to remember how the Yuletide and your birthday cycle/season can help you. So why be discouraged by words that lack positive action? What's the popular saying, " Just Do It!" So, plan it and do it!
Copyright @ 2012/2016 Terry Unger
