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2 – Saturday, January 28, 2017 – El Dorado NEWS-TIMES
Maybe it’s time to rethink resolutions
Welcome to the first issue of On The Path for 2017. We hope you’ll resolve to read through our issue, especially since the theme for this edition is “Resolutions and New Beginnings.”
Here we are, already rushing into February. It seems like it was just yes- terday we were preparing for New Year’s Eve and those annual promises we make to ourselves.
This year, I’m going to lose weight, get rich, learn to play the saxophone, spend more time with my parents/kids/spouse... We’ve all been there, and usually by Feb. 1, we’ve forgotten all about those resolutions, or worse — we’re feeling bad about ourselves for not having already lost 20 pounds, or mastered the Samba. Maybe we haven’t even used the stationary bike Santa brought us, except as a coat rack...
If the goal of New Year’s Resolutions is a happy life, then maybe we should look at what type of hap- piness we are seeking with our resolutions. Are we looking inward, at our spiritual lives, for happi- ness and contentment? Or are we looking at our material lives, looking for joy in possessions, or fit-
Contributed Photo
Resolution Solution: How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? If it’s midnight and you’re not famous yet, (to borrow a line from a Jimmy Buffett song) maybe you need to rethink your goals.
yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Our authors in this issue give us advice on how to keep our resolu- tions, and how to priori- tize our resolutions. We also look at the liturgi- cal year, an ancient tradi- tion that not only teaches the faith, but also brings faith to life for millions of Christians.
We have a variety of ministers from Catholic, Episcopalian, Baptist, Church of Christ, and the Salvation Army contribut- ing to this issue, and we have advice from psychol- ogists, a meditation teach- er and an English profes- sor as well.
Get a cup of tea, put the cellphone on silent, and see what our contributors have to offer.
If you read one of the articles, I think you’ll resolve to read a second.
Randal Curtman Editor
ness for the sake of vanity?
Ultimately,
things can only satisfy our hearts for so long. That new car becomes last year’s model, and then it becomes just another monthly payment. The house’s roof leaks, the stamp collection is never quite complete. Even our body, our most prized
possession, begins to fail us, no matter how much time we spend exercising, dieting, preening. Time marches on.
However, there is one thing we all possess that is beyond the reach of time — our spirit. The spirit doesn’t rust, doesn’t wax or wane.
The book of Matthew tells us:
“Do not store up for
Easy acronym for putting bad habits in the P.A.S.T
Special to On The Path
Dr. Stephen Graef, a sports psychologist at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, suggests an easy acro- nym for resolutions.
Put Bad Habits in the P.A.S.T.
PLAN: Clarify what you want and the spe- cific steps to get there through a daily plan. Knowing exactly which exercise class to take and when or how many min- utes you’ll walk today, eliminates excessive thinking. Instead you wake up, see the task and take it on!
ARRANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT: Cut down on decisions by setting up an environ- ment that sets you up for success. Want to wake up earlier? Put the alarm on the other side of the room. Trouble working out? Sleep in your gym clothes. Small alterations can lead to big outcomes.
STICK TO ONE THING: Don’t rush your resolutions by trying to accomplish more than one goal at once. Folks who try to eat better and exercise and quit smok- ing... might as well kiss their little resolutions goodbye. To succeed, pick one thing and mas- ter it. Then, move on to the next.
TOO EASY TO FAIL:
Understand the differ- ence between aspirations and ability. Don’t expect to run five miles on the first day of working out, if the furthest you’ve ever run is one. Get up and walk for five min- utes instead. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a six pack. Be patient. Start slow and easy.
Keep resolutions thoughtful, realistic for lasting change
By Dr. Erika Gray pg. 3
Liturgical year provides spiritual lessons
By Randal Curtman pg. 4
A great New Year’s resolution: learn to do nothing
Chuck Chapman pg. 6
Add mindfulness for better health, spiritual growth
By Randal Curtman pg. 8
A resolution on resolutions
Tips for a better spiritual life in 2017
By James Yates pg. 11
By Randal Curtman pg. 12
Resolutions 2017: Do not seek all the good for yourself
How to live the God-centered life
By Charles Smith pg. 14 By Scott Johnson pg.16
Table of Contents