For a New Year

Ben Koorengevel, Unsplash

We say ‘Happy New Year’, but what is new about it?

In fact, right now, list what ‘new’ you hope to experience? Is it more energy, better health, clearer goals, better relationships, deeper faith? Take a moment and list a few down.

When you look over your list, a realization will soon hit you. None of this newness will come to pass if you do not make changes to how you live. And change requires Discipline, not a very popular word I know… 

Here in To Really Live, we consider discipline is a delightful thing. We have come to accept the reality that we are prone to sloth and its cousins, denial or avoidance. All of them are enemies to really living.

Instead, when we slow down to savour what truly matters to us, we will find that we stand at the road marked ‘Discipline’. For most of us, we think it means suffering, grit and a lack of joy. That is a lie!

Discipline gives us shape, form and power. And here are three huge areas of our life where discipline is needed:

Your thoughts: renew them by anchoring back on your purpose

If something does not serve you, it is trivial and possibly a distraction. Personally, I do not store a lot of information about things like bargains and celebrities. They do not really impact my life direction or help me stay on course with my purpose to grow into who I truly am.

Instead, I check where my files are thin and weathered about God, my self-awareness, my love for others, my abilities, and the needs of the world. I make sure I chuck material in those files regularly. This means that I choose to read and think about what matters.

Your feelings: redirect them by practising gratitude and praise

Sounds holy-moly but would you rather hang around a sulker or a smiler?

From writing down gratitude on small slips, doing it on big charts, praying it out each night...find a way to remember to be thankful.

Almost all therapists encourage some form of gratitude tracking, because neuroscience backs it up now: our brains calm and organise better when we have a habit of being positive and grateful.

Your time management: review regularly

Slip-sliding is easy. Facebook and computer games can suddenly take up hours.

Once every other week, just check in to see if your time spent reflects your priorities.

If God is important, where in your schedule have you set aside time for Him?

If knowing your children better is important, where in your schedule have you placed that; and is watching TV with them the way to do it?

Use the priority principle: you build what you value. And it shows in where you spend your time and money. 

One reason acting on these disciplines is hard or even impossible could be that you are hurting, and your sense of self-worth has been battered. If this is so, you need to heal. Create space and take small steps towards being more whole. You may want to check out the Companions we have on our website.

All of our Experiences are facilitated to be safe spaces, so please join us.

We believe that the world is a sadder, weaker place when you are not fully alive and engaged! You are unique and useful and leave a special imprint. We are not talking about perfection or performance.

We just want to encourage each other to keep growing and maturing.

So even at your weakest you can choose to Slow, Savour and Serve, develop the disciplines of mind, heart and management - towards really living.

Let’s do it together!