The New Year offers a time to reflect on what we’ve learned and imagine what’s ahead. This time of year, we traditionally make our annual resolutions to counteract the “bad” we have done and make corrections so we can be good. 

But unfortunately, less than 10% of us continue those resolutions past the second Friday in January, which is commonly referred to as “Quitter’s Day.” 

Why is this? The truth is, we often give our dissatisfactions a power that does not serve us well. If we can only lose the weight, stop smoking, commit to dry January, or stand up for ourselves, this will be a better year.

Most of us keep a mental scale of good and bad. Our perceptions arise from the tainted evaluations we have accepted throughout our lives, shaped by our experience, family, education, community–even our gender, height, weight and age. Our choices and self-approval are based on how we believe others see us, and how we feel judged by the values of influencers, our social network, parents and cultural heritage.

What if we took a radically different approach to personal success this year? What if our wellbeing was based on strengthening our self-awareness? 

This simple shift can be achieved through mindfulness. We are not trying to change anything–no doing, no not doing. We are simply nourishing our heightened presence in the practice of moment-to-moment awareness. Mindfulness is a practice, and with practice, it can become the primary lens of perception. 

For example, we begin to notice how much we eat; how quickly or slowly we chew. Did I even taste that bite? Mindfulness can help us visualize the moment we were suddenly ravenous after eating an hour ago. Was it an upsetting phone call? A television ad featuring a slim body we felt we could never achieve? Suddenly, a wave of hopelessness sweeps over us which can only be filled by food or drink. 

Let’s look closer before running to the fridge. Lean in and observe. Does the feeling have a story? A color, shape or size? Is it really hopeless? Ask again. 

Mindfulness allows us to interact with ourselves rather than simply reacting. We explore our inner-verse and our outer-verse. We allow ourselves to feel all feelings and welcome them with curiosity, kindness and freedom. This is what American Buddhist nun Pema Chodron means with her book title, Start Where You Are. 

Instead of New Year’s resolutions, let’s try “radical reset solutions.” Start by witnessing yourself and your perceived world, then try changing those perceptions by letting the world come in just as it is. Take notice of the observations that arise within yourself. 

How does this help me stop drinking or smoking or judging everyone? The more aware we are, and the more engaged we are with our life force, the less we want to act in a manner that is dissonant to our natural rhythm. 

There are many paths to awareness, and they are as unique as each person, but their commonality is simplicity. Walking in nature or playing with your pets encourages an open heart and non-judgmental observation. Ancient practices such as acupuncture and meditation support the awakening of wise choice and wise action. Practice these. The next steps for you will come into view, whatever they are. 

“Each of us has an image of what we think we are or what we should be, and that image, that picture, entirely prevents us from seeing ourselves as we actually are,” writes renowned author and philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. Because our minds are very complex, he adds, we have lost the quality of simplicity; the simplicity of looking directly at things without fear or preconceived notions; a simplicity that allows us to look at ourselves as we actually are without any distortion.

Happy “Now” Year to you! May the practice of mindfulness help you discover the joy of simplicity and all it can bring.

Patty Van Santen is a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine with Circe Healthcare Solutions and can be reached at (760) 773.4948.

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