It doesn’t take any special powers to
predict next week’s conversations:
Friends, family & co-workers will be complaining about
how much they over-ate, over-drank, over-spent this week!
Everyone will be moaning about
going on a diet, de-toxifying or joining a gym.
Hardly anyone will sound very enthusiastic
about their new resolutions…
It seems to me that
whining and complaining about your body,
insulting your reflection in the mirror,
and hating yourself for enjoying the past few weeks
of holiday treats
is a terrible way to begin the new year!
Maybe it’s time for another approach…
Instead of complaining
about needing to lose weight or get in shape,
instead of stubbornly avoiding some gigantic “lifestyle change”,
what if you took light, easy steps towards
health and happiness at your current size?
What if you joyfully danced towards it?
“I make positive choices for my health and happiness”
is a simple idea to guide the moment-by-moment dance through your day.
It is not a dreaded diet or time-consuming routine
that you must somehow squeeze into your already stressed-out life.
It is not a statement to build up willpower or “resist temptation”.
It is a gentle reminder that the small steps of
enjoyable physical activity,
eating a variety of nourishing food,
getting enough sleep,
creating balance with work and recreation,
and in general, taking good care of your body
are positive choices,
ongoing choices,
not something you resolve to do in January and forget by February!
It has nothing to do with losing weight, or fitting into a certain size,
and everything to do with simply choosing the best way to take of yourself in any situation.
Whatever resolutions we make on New Year’s Day,
May we all joyfully dance towards our goals for 2011!
2010 New Year’s resolution post
Do you have a positive statement or personal theme for 2011?
Please share!
Man, I want her frock! It’s so pretty!
I don’t really do resolutions or goals or anything at New Years, because that’s usually the kiss of death for me to actually achieve them.
But I want to appreciate life, and everything in it, even more in 2011 than I did in 2010.
Happy New Year Ms. Sleepydumpling! I’m glad you like her dress, she was terrific fun to illustrate. I was looking at photos of my mom in the 1960’s and was inspired with both the big hair and the patterned minis.
so true!! if you can’t be happy where you are, you’ll never be happy in the future…there’s always SOMEthing to make us pout…and we gotta deal with it sooner than later.
Thanks for your great positive messages throughout the year–they help remind me that my body is not the enemy. Wishing you a fantastic 2011!
“…everything to do with simply choosing the best way to take of yourself in any situation.”–My sentiments exactly.
My life long goal is to take good care of myself. Life is too short to get caught in the web of dress sizes.This is my only chance in life to have this body, so I have to do what is best for it according to what my body tells me not society. You know, people spend too much time self loathing. Do you know what can be done with that time wasted??? Anyway, ladies I say: Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and asked yourself: What do I love about me?
Happy New Year!
YOU GO GIRL!!
I loved the small pic on IF and had to click. Its incredible and a great way to begin a new year.
Love your perspective on the new year Elizabeth and your illustration! She ROCKS! HNY!
You are always such an inspiration. I love your fabulous women, please, please keep up the wonderful work! I wish you and your family the very best in the upcoming year! Happy New Year!
I always love reading your blogs. They inspire me so much. I have taken so much of what you say to heart and because of this, I have lost 30 pounds just by making better choices and moving more. Thank you and have a wonderful New Year!
what a fun illo – looks like 2011 will be festive and colorful, yay!
I am making happy resolutions this years…and one of them is to dance around my kitchen more!
http://coffeeonthepatio.com/blog/2011/01/01/happy-new-year/
Love your blog and art.
My personal theme for 2011 is all about JOY! I’m only going to eat things that bring me joy, hang out with people who bring me joy, and buy things that bring me joy. You’d be surprised at how much we do on autopilot–being more aware of what brings us joy leads to more conscious living and a more JOYful life!
It is certainely the best new year resolution I read in a long time. I am defenitely going to stop complaining and start dancing toward an healthier future
Your drawings are just delightful and I always smile inside and out when I see them. What fun and joy this woman expresses and what a gorgeous dress!
No resolutions for me but dreams – the bigger, the more entertaining and uplifting for me. May your year be spectacularly wonderful and fulfilling!
thank you all so much for taking the time to leave such wonderful comments here. I am honored and grateful that my little creations bring a little smile to people I have not yet met! Here’s to a Healthy Happy 2011!