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NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS and GOOD INTENTIONS


The past few days I read about people making new year’s resolutions and some who are adamant not to. We all know the familiar rituals of the good intentions we start out with and how most of us fail miserably or spectacularly. (Some people, albeit the minority, achieve what they set out to do. Maybe this is a phenomenon somebody can write a thesis on.)


Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher, discusses in his book, The Power of Now, the ancient wisdom of living fully in the moment. We also read in the Bible (New King James Version) in Matt. 6: 25-34: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life… Verse 34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it own things. Sufficient for the day is its own troubles.” “The concept of “Mindfulness” (or living in the present), exists as a concept within all major religions, including Christianity.” (www.themindfulchristian.com)



We tend to carry with us the heavy burden of the past, or long for the “good old days”, going on to see all the obstacles the future may bring. Why is it so difficult to live in the now? Why do human-beings drag along the past and worry about the future? The answers to these questions are above my pay grade, but why not start this minute to be fully engaged in whatever it is that you are doing? No harm in trying.


According to Tolle, there are outer intentions (driven by the ego) and inner intentions. Outer intentions include future planning; What do I want to achieve? What are my goals? These ego-driven goals can cause difficulties and stress and even when achieved, do not satisfy for long, especially if it is not in alignment with your essence.


His opinion is that we should create our life from the “essence of our being”. “We are born with the essence of our being already complete” and all we need to do, is to “align with the essence of who you are to create your life.”


How do we do this? “Focus on the present moment and step you are taking now. Good intentions are not enough, you need to be conscious throughout the entire creative process to keep the ego from creeping back in. Your inner purpose is to align your life fully with the present moment in whatever you do.”

If this sounds confusing, maybe it will make sense if you read Eckhart Tolle’s books: The Power of Now (1997) and A New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose (2005).


Of course I see the need for planning, “Fail to plan and you plan to fail.” Maybe the problem is the worrying and the inevitable obstacles we encounter. Have a plan but get your intentions right and your options open. Also, do not be surprised that your plan does not go according to how it was supposed to. “When one door closes…” Stay in the present and do not be so focused on that closed door that you do not see the new doors opening.


There are numerous authors writing on this topic, not just Tolle; below are a few ones I got on Google:

A Guide to the Present Moment by Noah Elkrief. “Learn how to lose your negative emotions by disbelieving your negative thoughts. This book will help you to experience more peace, freedom, love, laughter and gratitude in life by living in the moment”.

Living in the Moment by Anna Black “Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. Simply BE in the present”

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh (This beautifully illustrated book shares a simple verse with an enlightening commentary that will help you to live each day in a connected and calm way.”

The Present by Spencer Johnson (An engaging story of a young man’s journey to adulthood, and his search for The Present, a mysterious and elusive gift he first hears about from a great old man. This Present, according to the old man, is “the best present a person can receive”.)



Think of how the world had to stop these past two years, something that was previously unimaginable. Maybe one of the lessons we can learn from this is to live in the moment. Whatever you do, do it with all your senses and savor it. Be with someone and listen with undivided attention and without texting on the phone. Taste each morsel when eating; enjoy the refreshing coolness of a glass of water. Take pleasure in the simple, as well as the more challenging tasks by focusing on you are doing.


Find a few minutes each day to do absolutely nothing but sitting with your thoughts; this seems to be an impossible thing to do for the ever busy among us. How else will you align with your essence?



This will be my intention for this moment and today: To be fully present and live the moment.


Till we chat again, love and light.

Shirley Rose

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