What if, just for today, we made a commitment to be kinder to others, not just in actions but in words and thoughts?
What if, just for today, we made a commitment to take the time to listen to others, called them to tell them we care, put down the cell phone, turned off the television, and gave them 5 minutes of undivided attention?
What if, just for today, we made a commitment to donate some of our time to help an important cause or a friend who could use a hand?
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What if, just for today, we made a commitment to leave the house 5 minutes early, so we could enjoy the ride and maybe have enough time to let cars turn into traffic?
What if, just for today, we made a commitment to forgive someone who has hurt our feelings?
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What if, just for today, we pay attention to what is going on around us, including what is going on with others around us?
What if, just for today, we ask someone “how are you?” not just out of courtesy but with the idea of really listening to what they have to say?
What if, just for today, we make a commitment to go out of our way to do something that would mean the world to another, whether that person is your spouse, child, friend, coworker, or just an acquaintance.
What if just for today we give one of the above gifts to someone else?
What if just for today we make a commitment to be the best we can be?
What if just for today, we make a new list of New Years resolutions, a list that doesn't just focus on ourselves but that includes doing for others?
For those of you reading this who have already evaluated the past year and set your goals for the New Year, why not incorporate a few goals that include giving your time to someone or something other than yourself?
Please don't misunderstand me, I have nothing against New Years resolutions. I believe it is healthy for people to set goals. Giving yourself the gift of health via better diet and exercise or the gift of alone time by scheduling something your enjoy doing a few times a week, is not only physically healthy but psychologically healthy. However, just for today, I also encourage you to expand your list to include some of the above. For, isn't it in giving that we receive and by doing good for others we are doing good for ourselves? And just think, if we all did one random act of kindness a day for others, the end result would be millions of kind acts a day. Just think of the wonderful effect of that positive energy upon ourselves and the world....WOW!
So I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year! I hope that you will all realize that resolutions are not all or none and that each day we wake up we are given a gift and with each moment we live, we are given a new opportunity. So, again happy new year and happy new day! I hope the year brings you all your wish for.
Until next month....
Alicia
This column was written for Fashion Affair Magazine, January 2014 issue. Please view the column at www.fashionaffairmagazine.com
