Kind, Whole, Organic Mind-Body New Year's Resolutions

(Follow these tips, and you will LEAP into the new year with flying colors! lol!...kind of, sort of!!)

I'm all for evolving and blossoming into a fuller, more peaceful and enlightened version of yourself -- with time. But, changing, fixing, erasing, conforming, shaping and shrinking based on tight, suffocating standards just because the ball just dropped for 2011 - I can do without those, and so can you. Rethink your New Year's Resolutions with these mind-body shifts in perspective - Don't wait until January 1, 2011 at 12:00am -- Start now:

1) Kindess heals. Treat yourself with kindness. Instead of passing yourself in the mirror and either silently or blatantly gasping "ugh" to your reflection while making a mental note of the cabbage soup or babyfood diet you'll start on Monday, try looking at yourself in a new light. If you truly ate too much fruit cake at Aunt Margie's house, ask yourself why you felt like comforting yourself with too much food once again. What bless-their-heart-annoying-individual pissed you off yet again? When did you say yes, when you wanted to say no (or vice versa)? When did you stop breathing? Talk gently to yourself with curiosity instead of a harsh interrogation. Be honest, and be kind with whatever comes up. You'll know how to treat yourself better and more healthfully next time in that situation because you're already practicing gentleness and kindness with yourself.

2) Stop wasting energy (and money). If you looked in that same mirror, and once again see some feature on yourself that you can't change, take a closer, objective look at how it makes you gorgeously unique and real, and stop wasting energy on things you can't (and shouldn't) change. Now, make a list of the things you might do with that newfound energy of not beating yourself up. You might have LOTS of time on your hands, and you might have to get creative -- not a terrible thing!

3) Stand up to the nonsense. If looking in the mirror doesn't cause a reaction from a superficial/exterior self-perceived "flaw" but perhaps a deeper ongoing pit of YUCK in your gut, experiment with simply being kind to yourself and talking back to the Sly Voice who creeps in and beats you down. Refuse to buy into the lies and put-downs, and treat yourself as if you're already talented, gorgeous, smart and successful. (Disclaimer: This takes practice, perhaps even a lifetime of practice, but I swear to the high heavens it works! If it doesn't, I will refund you the full amount of your time reading this paragraph, but you'll have to get in touch with me decades down the road!)

4) Listen to your body. I know that's not popular to hear this time of year. You want Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers Points and magical protein drinks to help you glide on the dazzling carpet ride of thinness. I know. I've been there, but I also rode that carpet ride to a few pounds lost and much obsession gained -- never a pot of gold perfection at the end of that ride. To be honest, it sucks, it doesn't work, and there's a much more peaceful and powerful way to feel at home in your body. Listen to it. Practice moving it in ways that give you energy and help you sleep better. Practice noticing your hunger cues and what your taste buds and belly really want. Practice getting really honest with your feelings so you don't stuff them or starve them in an attempt to avoid living fully. And, while you're doing this, be on the lookout for that Voice who will tell you you are wrong to listen to your body, that you can't trust it. Kick It where it hurts, and keep listening.

5) Practice breathing deeply. Breathing brings consciousness and awareness. Consciousness and awareness bring truth. And answers. And knowing. And, eventually peace. That's the long and extended path of consistently treating your body to breath work, but even the short path of breathing -- just in deeply and out deeply while you're waiting on the barista to fix your double tall decaf white chocolate soy latte -- and just being with your body while you wait in line, and even with the mind medleys that never seem to stop will bring you little tidbits of peace throughout your day. During the mundane tasks like driving in rush hour traffic to the scrumptious everyday gifts of a yoga practice or slipping on fuzzy socks. These tidbits of peace as a result of deep belly breathing will help you to remember to treat yourself with kindness, to let perceived or real bygones be bygones, to swipe away the nonsense mind medleys, to listen to what your body needs and wants in an organic way, and to exhale the breath you've been holding in all these years. Inhale, receive and then exhale, let go...that's all you really need to do.

6) You are already whole. (oh no, she didn't!) Oh yes, I did just write that. I believe it, and so should you. I'm not saying you're perfect, I'm not saying I'm perfect. A wise person once told me that if we were perfect we'd all be dead - you can say that again! Embrace your imperfections, and either through blind faith or a religious or spiritual path, experiment with the idea that you are okay -- if not beautifully wonderful -- exactly as you are -- scrapes, scars, burns, bumps, lumps and all. You will bloom more and more with time, but soak up where you are right now. Love your strengths, and care deeply for your flaws. Strive for truth, and forgive what weighs you down.

I was inspired to come up with my mind-body awareness "resolutions" (that I recommend starting now in lieu of next year) after reading the following blog. For a little more inspiration, check out what Ms. Brooke Thomas wrote: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/12/stick-your-new-years-resolutions-where-the-sun-dont-shine--brooke-thomas/

My wish for you, dear reader, is to be kind to yourself throughout the rest of this holiday season, to bask in the idea that you are already whole, and to keep breathing, moving and loving. Cheers to a blessed 2011!

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