New Opportunities

 Each new year brings new opportunities. Do we choose to maintain our present patterns, ending with the same results, or do we choose to make subtle changes to fine tune the direction of our life? People make New Year’s resolutions, yet how many are kept. Usually, this results from choosing paths rather than goals. Goals are more likely to keep us on our paths than paths motivating us toward undesignated goals.
Pick realistic meaningful goals. Choosing to be rich doesn’t clarify how that will impact you as a person. You may choose to further your education in specific areas or build/enhance a relationship. Pick measurable goals that will give you a sense of accomplishment. Using the word “more” will only lead you to believe you’ll never actually reach your goal. Focus only on what you do want, not what you don’t want. Replace dysfunctional patterns with positive ones rather than focus on not doing the dysfunction.
Identify what you want to experience, such as seeing smiles or feeling warmth or a special connection. Focusing on how you can add to the lives of others, rather than how others can add to your life, will give you a more fulfilling result. Doing for others won’t be as satisfying as helping others to believe in their ability to do for themselves. Give them a hand, not a handout. Discover the increased value of being wanted over being needed.
What will you have to show for your 2018 choices by the time 2019 comes around? How many people will you have impacted? What would you like that impact to be? As a result of your 2018 choices, will you have more to offer in 2019? How will you feel about yourself? How will others feel about you? Will people say, “shut up already,” or will they seek your valued input? Will they be drawn closer to you or expand the distance? Will 2018 be held dear in your memories and the memories of others, or will it just blend into the mass of years that have already passed? Health and happiness to you.
To discuss this or other issues, Dr. Levine can be reached at 661-877-8378.