2012: A year of redemption
Any circumstance of change is difficult to overcome, but I believe that all change is for our benefit…but only if you respond. This is captured by one of my favorite quotes by Charles Darwin:
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but those most responsive to change.”
2011 marked a year of personal transformation. I’ve kicked, pushed, shoved, and had my share of temper tantrums as I confronted a call to change my life. What has been most challenging for myself is being patient. Part of the reason why I resisted was because I knew change would require a lot of time and work. I had the desire to change, but definitely didn’t have the patience to get there. But with lots of encouragement and love, I’ve stopped resisting (for the most part) and am the happiest I have ever been with myself in a long time, perhaps ever. It’s been a period of learning and listening. I realize now that I can’t rush change. I have to take an active part in it.
2012 will be a year of redemption; a year where I admit my faults and dedicate myself to change my thoughts, words, and actions. So, while some people may fear that 2012 marks the end of the world, I am determined to make it the beginning of the better me.
For all of you who have made New Year’s resolutions, really do your best to execute them. Make them realistic and set boundaries for yourself to avoid the temptation of slipping back into bad habits. Have someone you trust to hold you accountable. Don’t cheat or lie to yourself. Remember Darwin’s theory, those who are most responsive to change are those who survive.
Here’s some of the things I want to accomplish or focus on in 2012:
- Answering without arguing
- Taking out the trash
- Praying without ceasing
- Stop multitasking when something or someone needs to be the main priority
- Establish a change in my career whether it’s going to grad school or getting a new job
- Visit my best friend in Nashville
- Lose about 7 pounds
- Delete/Trash/Remove ALL inappropriate, unnecessary, unwanted things of the past
- No fried food for 9 of the 12 months
- Take a trip to the western part of the U.S.
Hi Monica.
Twitter relentlessly suggests I should connect with you, so I finally clicked through to your blog. So there you have it, just about my favorite all-time quote from Darwin:
““It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but those most responsive to change.”
My own personal version of this has become “Innovate or Perish”
Anyway, great list. I would place praying without ceasing slightly above taking out the trash, but that’s splitting hairs.
Cheers,
Greg
Thanks, Greg! I love that saying you’ve created “Innovate or Perish”. Thanks for checking out my blog:)