Resolutions

(Started on New Years Day)

This is the time of the year when people promise to do better, to be better. When they declare, at this arbitrary place on the continuum of time, that things will be improved henceforth. So far as I can tell, there is only one resolution to ever be made, not just annually, but daily, hourly, with each breath. That is to love more.

Love yourself more, and you'll know you are worthwhile and deserving of happiness. You'll take the time to figure out the things in your life that you need to do in order to be happy and healthy. You will exercise like you know you should. You'll feed your body healthy foods and drinks, and avoid the toxins you know will harm you. You'll give yourself a break, consider and honor your feelings, and get enough sleep. You'll save your money, meditate, go to church, walk outside, go to school. You'll stop biting your nails. You'll pay down your debts. You'll surround yourself with loving people, and remove from your life those that harm you.

Love those around you more, and the love will come back to you multiplied. You will call your family and friends to catch up and make sure they are okay. You will show your gratitude for the nice things people do. You will smile, you will hug, you will make a routine of being helpful and compassionate. You will listen with an open heart and refrain from judging. You won't be so angry. You won't yell. You'll forgive. You'll be present, aware, and honest, because in loving others more you'll recognize that they deserve it.

Love your art more, and you will do it. You will write. You will paint. You will dance. You will make music. And it will all be better for the love you put into it.

Love your work more, and you'll find the small joys in your tasks. You won't procrastinate. You'll organize, be a better leader, learn a new skill. You'll quit if that's what you need. You'll follow your passion. You'll be committed, you'll arrive on time, you will succeed.

Love your world more, and you'll have a better world to live in. You will respect your things. You will do your dishes and wash your clothes and take care of your home. You will recycle, learn to be more environmentally friendly where you can, and be better about conservation. You will volunteer, donate, and pay-it-forward.

Love more, and it will shine like a light within you and touch everything within your reality. Just love. You don't need a list of promises you won't keep and ideals you can't uphold. You simply need to try your best to make every moment a little more loving.