"New Year, New Me"

It's official! The New Year has arrived and everyone is back to the "New Year New Me" state of mind which baffles me because no one ever commits and follows through with it. It's more of a tool people use to impress others and to make others think that they are making the extra effort to transform themselves into someone they will never be.

I don't get that because the fact of the matter is there will never be a "new you." You can tweak yourself, make yourself over, and transform yourself into a better person but you can't be a new you because for that to happen you couldn't exist. When something is new, there is no copies of it or traces of a template. That's why I never understood how commercials state things are new AND improved. How can that be? The saying should be "New You, Better Me."

I saw a quote that read: "Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Let's make it a good one." I love that! We do write the story of our lives which ultimately culminates into a massive anthology of books. We must really decided how we want those books to read.

This year let's just improve upon who we are. Let's communicate effectively, listen intently, smile profusely, and do the right thing even when no one is watching. A start would be putting down your cell phone and actually talking to people instead of texting. It would mean hugging someone without the use of emoji. It would mean sending a hand written letter to someone you love as opposed to email. Let's get back to the simpler things. 

The resolutions some of us made last year have still not been fulfilled but we want to make new ones for another year? Resolutions should only be made if you are making them for the sole purpose of improving your life and it must not be a fad but a lifestyle change. This goes for the dieters as well. You won't lose weight/inches and keep it off if you are dieting. Eating right is a lifestyle change that requires you to make it a habit. It's not seasonal like Christmas decorations. 

There are so many different venues for us to improve ourselves. I've come up with tips for each aspect of our complete self that we can work on going into 2014 to become improved individuals:

• Mental Aspect - As you know, our minds are flooded with the to-do lists, alarm clocks, and deadlines we are to meet if we are to be hard-working and reliable individuals in life. To combat this, take a time management course online or in person. Time management skills are important in every relationship (professional and personal) and help us to chart out our day and designate which priorities deserve the most time and when we take care of them. I've learned that when we are organized mentally, it yields a certain satisfaction and a feeling of purpose especially when you realize that some of the decisions you make aid others in their day. I learned this and I'm so glad that I was afforded the opportunity to be taught time management--it is a process however. There is so much noise that goes on in our day that it can be difficult to think about our selves and what we need. Organize your thoughts, organize your day, organize your life.
• Physical Aspect - If you ask any person something that they would like to improve about themselves, the vast majority will tell you something that is physical.This is where eating right, exercising, and treating yourself comes in. Earlier in the post I mentioned making a lifestyle change. 
• Make the choice and take the challenge of changing what and how much you eat. No one is saying all you can eat is "rabbit food," as my grandmother puts it, but it's important to know what you are ingesting. There are these labels on every food that half the population does not even read. They are called "nutrition facts" and tell you everything you need to know about what you are about to eat or drink. Read Them. Eating certain foods is scientifically proven to make you feel either good or bad. Why do you think you feel groggy and disoriented when you wake up in the morning  after taking a late night trip to McDonalds? Certain chemicals we simply don't need in our body. Cook your own food. It's not difficult to go to the store and buy ground beef or turkey and make a burger that will yield a healthier meal. Instead of eating a whole Hershey bar, eat half and then try to decrease to a 1/4. Moderation is paramount! Search online for healthy eating regimens and lifestyle changes. I guarantee you will feel better after changing up the foods you eat.
• Exercise has always been an issue for some people. Instead of focusing on the hard work it will take to shed the pounds focus on the end result. Find someone who has been through it and talk to them. Anything worth having is worth working for. Keep in mind that this helps to alleviate many health issues that we have as we get older. Put down the Big Mac before you get a heart attack. Pick up dumb bell if you want to know the secret to living long and well. Eating right and in moderation in addition to an active exercise regimen is the key to heightened self-esteem, positive attitudes, defined bodies, and good internal health.You can start off slow and then begin to add more to your regimen. Along the way you will find certain exercises that you like. It doesn't matter what you do, just do something. A little of something will save you a lot of nothing.
• Spiritual Aspect - This is something that many people neglect and confuse with other things. Being spiritual does not mean you are religious. This means that you are more aware of the metaphysical universe through meditation, prayer, and wellness. Some people's lives are so topsy turvy because nothing is keeping them grounded, organized, and motivated spiritually. When are you not at "one" with yourself you are most probably spreading yourself too thin, not allowing time for yourself to self-heal, self-talk, and self-assure. As humans we all need that. Why? My grandmother put it very simply: We are all spiritual beings on a human journey. In her opinion, and I do concur, our short life on this earth is simply to help us remember the emotions that are exclusive only to the human race. If we don't experience these emotions, we aren't really living or dying. Find something or someone that you can you find solace in. Create your own special person or place. I guarantee you after a few months of enhancing your spirituality, you'll be more calm, less tense, happier, and so organized.
• Financial Aspect - DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUN! After Christmas it seemed like we all went from Ho, Ho, Ho to Owe, Owe, Owe! :-) It's a normal thing with us but it shouldn't be. Budgeting is much more economical, logical, and appealing when it comes to ensuring you have money year round, aren't bouncing checks like a basketball, and not living paycheck to paycheck. Firstly, stop spending money on impulse. You can buy what you want when you have enough 500-1000 dollars left over from bills each month. Until then, put that money in a savings account or do a 52-week challenge like I've been doing for a couple years. What's a 52-week challenge? I'm glad you asked. Take a look at the picture below:
  
   Upon completing this, you will have over 1300.00 dollars that you can do whatever you choose to with. It's simply WAM (Walk Around Money) as my father used to call it. In regards to financial stability, part of being stable is using what you NEED and eliminating what you don't. Do you really need that cable package? Must you get a mani/pedi every two weeks? Is every shirt you see at Armani Xchange your favorite? Find out some things that you can do without and do without them. My motto is sacrifice now to live lovely later (L.L.L.).
• Emotional Aspect - I, along with other people, struggle with this. If you are to make this lifestyle change and come around full circle then you must commit to it. K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid). Just as you are to keep everything simple, so is it essential to keep your life simple and as they say "drama free." Worry about others' problems after you resolve your own and only assist with the issues don't take them on! I am always the one who is considerate of everyone else's problems, concerns, and feelings and always put my own on the back burner. Sometimes I feel like I am taking the burdens of the world on my shoulders and it becomes so unbearable. There comes a time in one's life where you must simply say F*** it All! It's totally okay to be a little selfish at times when it comes to taking care of yourself. In addition to that, you must always express your feelings. Don't hold things in anymore. There are people who have a hold on others from the grave or on the other side of the world because emotions weren't expressed--don't let this happen. Handle all your issues with others and commit to handling any others that come your way maturely, quickly, and hug after (seriously, it works.)

I do hope that this does help you to mold a better you in the new year. If you can't get it all done now, there are years to come. Who is a person? Who we are is the sum of everything we have ever said, done, and felt all wrapped up in one unique thread which is constantly being revised and remembered. To be yourself, you have to constantly remember yourself. I said I wanted to end this post with a bang so here it goes. BANG.