Another year, another list of New Year’s resolutions.  Among the most popular resolutions are to lose weight, quit smoking and get more organized.  The sales ads are flooded with exercise equipment, weight loss diets and supplements, filing cabinets and storage bins.  A New Year never begins without these items.  However, most of these items get used for a few weeks and months and thrown in the back of the basement to, eventually, end up in the summer yard sale.  Why do we do this?

I believe resolutions are mainly an American tradition.  It makes us feel good to have a fresh start and try to get a better idea of what our lives should be.  We order exercise videos and join gyms only to waste the money.  We rarely stick to a strict routine of diet and exercise.  Life is busy and, after working many hours each week and driving kids around, we often feel exhausted.  The last thing we want to do is drive to a gym.

Everyday stresses cause us to eat for pleasure.  Comfort foods and familiar desserts give us a false feeling of reward.  We fail to realize that true organization and health will give us the most satisfaction.  Everything in moderation.  Yes, we can exercise and diet too much.  However, we can also relax and overeat too much.

This year, I have vowed to be happy.  Nothing more. Nothing less.  Happiness includes healthy foods, exercise, organization, family time and an occasional treat.  These are the tools needed to make me happy.  Decide what makes you happy and stick with it.

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Author Unknown

Author: Rhonda Gutierrez

Image: dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net