The Secret of New Year's Resolutions

       Early January and already it is time to evaluate New Year’s Resolutions.  As a science teacher I was fascinated by the teaser on CBS Morning News that announced the science of New Year’s resolutions. So I stayed longer than I had intended to listen.

    Some facts from the research indicate that 10% want to lose weight but 40% want to become better persons. As a person who has vowed conversatio to each day become better I was impressed.  But what struck me about the research was that most resolutions are not kept because they are built on will power.  It was explained that will power is like a muscle.

   
It is strengthened by use but breaks down and becomes useless if overused.  So depending strictly on will power to fulfill our promises to ourselves can lead to failure. This is true especially if one makes several resolutions that require major changes in behavior. The recommendation was for short term goals that have measurable outcomes.

     So I thought of a number of small things that I can do to advance my cause to be a better person.  An area or concern is always relationships. Specifics will remain unnamed lest the persons I live with think they are the object of my resolution. Those persons may be right and they may be wrong!  Either way I will try my best. Other areas are increasing environment efforts and peaceful non-violence.

     But I will not depend solely on my own will power. Rather I will pray, “Lord, grant that I may place my trust in you.  Too often I have depended on my own flawed person with its natural limitations and have failed to depend on You. So as I begin this year of 2017 I trust you will be there to assist me in my personal fulfillment and guide me in choosing appropriate, achievable resolutions. I am ever grateful for your unfailing presence. Amen.” 

            Sr. Mary Rabe, OSB