Tag: New Year Resolutions

NEW YEAR’S HAPPINESS LIST

Published on by Brigitte Nioche2 Comments

This is the moment of the year when we would like to rid ourselves of everything that did not work and make it better next year by making New Year’s resolutions. And with the hope of a new year the list of most people will be is very ambitious.

But is it really something you want to do?  Maybe not! You will ask why not? Because the list for the New Year won’t be so different from last year’s – no, you didn’t lose the 20 pounds this year, no you didn’t visit your brother as you had put on last year’s list, and  while making a new list do you really want to remind yourself of all the broken resolutions?

I have a better idea – how about making a Happiness List. This will record  all the good thing that happened in the last year –  those which gave you  joy and you are proud of. It will be a happy ending to the year that is just leaving us – your list might look something like this:

  • – remembering that you got your degree
  •  – remembering getting married
  •  – remembering the trip to made
  •  – remembering evenings with friends
  •  – remembering sharing time with your family
  •  – remembering how you felt when you were promoted
  •  – remembering shopping trips with your girlfriends
  • –  remembering the warm, fuzzy feeling when holding your dog.

Of course your list will look different and probably be longer. When I made my happiness list I was surprised about all the positive events and happenings the past year has been filled with. It makes me feel  confident and gives me hope for the New Year,  promising that more good things are on the way.

New Year’s resolutions are self-imposed expectations which one probably can’t or won’t keep – so instead of having unrealistic goals start your HAPPINESS LIST – you still have time before the clock strikes 12 – then your glass of champagne to greet the New Year is not half empty by half full overflowing with happy bubbles.

Wishing you a

Happy New Year – Bonne Annee -Feliz Ano Nuevo – Frohes Neues Jahr

Brigitte –

 

And Never forget – A Smile Changes Everyhting!

 

 

A New Year – A New Beginning – Or More Of The Same?

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Christmas has come and gone and a new year is facing us. But before we get there New Year’s resolutions have to be made.

Oh, I know all about them – about keeping them and not keeping them, and eventually forgetting them.  How does the saying go ‘the way to hell is paved with good intentions’ meaning; the intention to engage in good acts often fails. It points up the principle that there is no merit in good intentions unless they are acted on.

Therefore, not setting us up to go to hell and to avoid being disappointed about not sticking to our New Year’s resolutions – maybe we shouldn’t make any? But if you can’t get out of the habit, settle for just a few. A few simple ones like skipping a dessert here and there, or calling your mother more often, or not looking at your iPhone every 5 minutes  – things that don’t need a major effort, because the truth is, if we get too ambitious our good intentions will become disappointments.

So keep your list of New Year’s resolutions short and easy, and start the New Year with cheers, a firework, and love. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

brigitte-headshotBrigitte

Greeting the New Year with fireworks over Central Park in New York

Greeting the New Year with fireworks over Central Park in New York