just one more time

Did you know there’s a national Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day?  Well, it’s true.  There is such a day, and that day was this week (January 17th). 

In mid-January, it’s easy for goals to feel more daunting than doable.  Our drive to swim against the stream has dwindled, and we find ourselves slogging through doldrums instead, wondering what on earth we were thinking when we made ambitious resolutions three weeks ago. 

And, chances are, we’ve already slipped up.  Already disappointed ourselves.  Already missed the mark we were aiming for.  Already shrugged and said, “What’s the point?”

And it’s here, right here, right in this moment, that we have an incredibly important choice to make.  This choice is going to define how we feel New Years Eve 2018, looking back at how we spent the 365 days of possibilities that we were gifted this year. 

We can choose to give up.  We can slide back into those bad habits, back into the old way of doing things, back to choices that cost us less (at least in the short run!)

Or we can refuse to give up.  We can refuse to be defined by our failures.  We can learn from our mistakes.  We can take a deep breath, say a prayer for new mercy, and try again.  

And tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, we can put one foot in front of the other, dust off our disappointment when we stumble, and keep walking toward the wellness our hearts and minds and bodies and souls are craving. 

As Thomas Edison so wisely said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” 

This morning I spent some quiet time re-evaluating my goals and motivations and priorities.  I studied the mistakes I’ve made so far, and tried to learn from them.  And I vowed that I’m going to try again.  I’m going to refuse to quit.  

How about you?  Want to keep Walking toward Well with me!?