For the new calendar year of 2008, I decided that instead of making (and breaking) resolutions, I would create New Year's mantras.  These are little statements to inspire me or remind me of something, and I hope they inspire you as well.  My New Year's mantras for 2008 are:


1.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.  It can be some.

2.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  It can be adequate, better or good enough.

3.  Remember the water experiments.

So what do these mean?

1.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.  It can be some.  I have a bad habit of living in extremes.  For example, If I'm going to start recycling, I'm going to recycle EVERYTHING I possibly can.  However, eventually this gets tiring and I quit all together.  I need to remember that lots of things in life ebb and flow and that just because I throw away one piece of paper, instead of recycling it, doesn't mean I have to just quit.  Nor do I have to recycle every little speck of paper either.  The same principles apply to dieting, spending money and more.

2.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  It can be adequate, better or good enough.  When I was a kid, a "B" on my report card wasn't good enough.  As an adult, that mindset permeated my work and personal life and added piles and piles of unnecessary stress.  Don't get me wrong, it's good to have high standards.  But I am no longer going to freak out worrying over every detail anymore.  Nor will I beat myself up if I make a mistake.  It just isn't necessary!

3.  Remember the water experiments.  I heard about an experiment conducted by Dr. Masaru Emoto subjected different samples of water to positive or negative thoughts.  The water subjected to positive thoughts where he created distorted structures.  There is some criticism of Dr. Emoto's testing methods and outcomes, but whether or not the results are valid, the experiment creates a vivid image in my mind that reminds me that positive thinking attracts positive results and vice versa.  I have seen that principle work in my life and I want to keep perpetuating positivity.  To remind me, I keep a post-it note on my computer that says "water experiment".




Do you have New Year's Mantras to share?  If so, please add them to the 'comments' section below.