New year targets
January 2024
Set New Targets For 2024
Resolutions give us direction as well as the deter mination to continue to persevere in the achieve ment of our goals, says Jamuna Rangachari.
There is no better time to make new resolutions than the new year. We may have many dreams but they are realised only when we proceed step by step in an organised manner. Otherwise, we will lead an erratic life, giving importance to unimportant things and neglecting those that truly need our attention. I made many resolutions when I was to become a parent and adhered to all of them, barring a few. Consequently, I was able to raise balanced and healthy children.
I wanted compassion to be ingrained in my children, so I resolved to expose them to stories of people who were the epitome of that virtue. As a software professional, before beginning a new project, I would insist on everyone making resolutions, not just professionally but personally too, as only a balanced team can deliver good results. It so happened that one team member delivered a baby. The whole team ensured she ate healthy meals and made her resolve to continue with the practice as one of her resolutions. This further reinforced the habit of making resolutions in all of us.
Mr CP Rao, a reiki healer from Roorkee, says, “Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition as old as time, emerging as a beacon of hope and self-improvement. In this annual ritual, people set ambitious goals, envisioning a better version of themselves and a brighter future. Whether it’s committing to a healthier lifestyle, pursuing a long-held dream, or fostering stronger connections with loved ones, the act of making resolutions symbolises a collective desire for positive change.
However, amidst the excitement and optimism, it is essential to approach these resolutions with a sense of realism and persistence, recognising that the journey of self-improvement is a marathon and not a sprint. As we stand on the precipice of a new year, let us embrace the opportunity for growth and transformation, with the determination to turn our aspirations into tangible achievements.”
Successful people do well because they make resolutions in important areas of their lives and ensure that they follow through. They give importance to both professional and personal lives.
Let’s resolve to improve three key areas of our lives in 2024: health, relationships, and finances.
Health
Health is wealth. If this aspect is in fine fettle, then other things can be taken care of much more easily.
Welcome 2024 with hope and a sense of determination to achieve your goals
Ani Bhatnagar says that resolutions give a direction to our lives
Anil Bhatnagar, a motivational speaker from Delhi, is clear that resolutions give direction to our lives. Reading, repeating, and reviewing these resolutions at regular intervals programmes our unconscious mind to drive our actions and behaviours towards achieving our daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals.
Anil says, “Physical health has three components: strength, suppleness, and stamina. Ask yourself what you would need to do to achieve all three and which part of the day you need to earmark for each of these activities to gradually move towards your goals. Resolve to increase your stamina by walking instead of going everywhere by car and climbing stairs instead of always using elevators.”
Dr Rupali Sehgal, a holistic ayurvedic doctor from Mumbai, says, “I will focus on a holistic approach in the coming year. I commit to incorporating regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep into my routine. I resolve to schedule annual check-ups with healthcare professionals to monitor and address any potential health concerns.” A health professional herself, she does not take anything in the area of health for granted.
Padmamalini G Rao, an author and writer from New Delhi, says, “One forgets that the word ‘resolution,’ by its very definition, is not a ‘will happen’ statement but rather a ‘definitely happening’ one. It is a decision, not a wish.” She takes a highly spiritual approach towards her health.
Rao proclaims, “I ‘decide’ to renovate this temple that is my body, whose parts are the physical, the heartfelt, and the spiritual. I decide to embrace my disease, my weight, and my mindset, and dedicate this machine to the greater good, with complete belief that to achieve this, I will become whatever I need to be. I resolve to eat less and breathe more, to balance the particle and wave of me. I choose to move more, barefoot, to reach my optimum frequencies while earthing myself, so that on that threshold, whenever that is, what I leave behind and take ahead will be remembered as being clean and free. Lastly, in everything I do for others, I also ‘decide’ to love myself, honour myself, respect myself, trust myself that this part of the whole is equal to and worthy of the whole.”
What a fabulous approach!
Relationships
According to a census, happy relationships constitute the biggest factor in human well being and felicity. They form the bedrock of a successful life. This new year, let’s take a new look at our most important relationships and resolve to make them stronger and better.
Anil Bhatnagar says, “Identify important relationships in your life. Develop strategies to improve each of these. Commit time to interact with each of these people and build a rapport and emotional hold. Examine what you can do for them and plan how and when you will do it.”
Dr Rupali says, “In relationships, in the new year, I will prioritise quality time with my loved ones. I will dedicate specific moments each day or week for meaningful conversations and shared activities. I will practise active listening, empathy, and open communication to strengthen my connections.”
Padmamalini G Rao says, “As a lover of words, every year, I inscribe this in my heart and have seen a marked shift from one New Year to the next in the efficacy of my resolutions manifesting into truths. This year too, I resolve to move into 2024 with my mentor, my family, my nation, and my world firmly in my heart as both my starting point as well as my destination. First, I ‘decide’ to deepen my relationships, move away from the ‘give and take’ to unifying with joy, and align my shoulder with theirs to solve issues and move ahead. This year, I resolve to explore the fullness of my karma with each person I am involved with so that when I am on the threshold of entering my next existence, I can say I have no regret and have left nothing to carry forward.”
Wise words!
Finances
All’s well that ends well. Good finances keep things oiled and functioning smoothly. Being prudent with your money goes a long way in leading a stress-free and happy life.
“We need to know there is nothing we own and all that we have is given to us by the grace of the Supreme. Thinking of it as our own is false pride. When we are able to realise the truth—tan, man, dhan, sab tera (body, mind, wealth, everything belongs to God)—through a spiritual process, which involves following the instructions of one’s spiritual master and reading the scriptures, one comes to a state of inner detachment with the world without relinquishing one’s duties and responsibilities in life. Such a person is called a detached and surrendered soul.”
Anil says that as far as finance is concerned, he believes that we need to resolve how much to save every month, how much time and money to donate, and how much to invest. All this needs to be done in a sequence.
Dr Rupali says that in 2024, she will create a comprehensive budget that aligns with her financial goals and will regularly review and adjust her budget as needed. She will also consider consulting a financial advisor to optimise her investment strategy and build a solid foundation for her long-term financial well-being.
These ideas can be very helpful for anyone wanting to strategise financially.
The bigger picture
However, spirituality makes us aware of a higher dimension to human existence. To not be out of touch with reality while planning our life goals. That, eventually, our goals need the grace of the Divine to come to fruition no matter how hard we work to make them come true. It pays to remember that everything belongs to God and will eventually go back to Him, whether
it is our health, money, or relationships. Death takes everything away; therefore, we must keep the Divine at the centre of all our resolutions.
Mr Ramdeo Choudhary, a seeker from Vrindavan, says, “New Year inspires us to measure the gap in reaching our set milestone and accordingly plan some new resolutions to fill the gap. Behind all these measures, the objective is to be more happy, more resourceful, and more recognised in society and, in this way, feel more distinct from others. In short, everyone is engaged to add more and more physical comfort, riches, and other worldly acquisitions.”
Ramdeo adds this by way of a reminder: “We need to know there is nothing we own and all that we have is given to us by the grace of the Supreme. Thinking of it as our own is false pride. When we are able to realise the truth—tan, man, dhan, sab tera (body, mind, wealth, everything belongs to God)—through a spiritual process, which involves following the instructions of one’s spiritual master and reading the scriptures, one comes to a state of inner detachment with the world without relinquishing one’s duties and responsibilities in life. Such a person is called a detached and surrendered soul.” Finally, Ramdeo asks us to plan for an awakening in the new year through devotional means without disturbing any of our personal and professional duties towards worldly life. Coming to me, I have always kept family time and never allowed anything to interfere with it. I have also kept a minimum amount of savings and connect with the Supreme every day through chanting and praying, no matter how busy I may be. This is something I have tried to impart to my children also.
Step-by-step progress
Making resolutions despite uncertainty Even though everything is temporary, resolutions are required. We take a fresh look at our life when one more year has passed. Even spiritual greats make resolutions. While life is uncertain, we do need to have a clear direction and modify the resolutions as and when required. Making resolutions always gives us direction and, being spiritual makes us stronger, enabling us to make better resolutions.
Life keeps changing; hence, resolutions too need to be revised, for them to stay doable.
Making resolutions that are difficult to achieve can make us give up too easily. Let us start with a step-by-step process.
• Start a gratitude journal noting all the things we need to be thankful for. This changes our focus in life.
• Practise at least a few minutes of meditation every day to connect within.
• Write down all your success stories, even minor ones. This will make you happy and consistent about achieving your goals. In other words, become your own fan.
• Read more motivational stories and make a note of them every month.
• Learn to say no to things that can impede your journey to the realisation of your goal. For instance, be firm in your resolve to abstain from sugary treats if you are trying to lose weight. • Set a time frame for the achievement of your target.
• Reconsider the resolutions every month and revise them as and when required. • Keep aside time for enjoyment so that you do not get depressed by all the regulations, which may result in your giving up too soon.
Jamuna Rangachari, the former assistant editor of Life Positive, has authored two books for children, and compiled and interpreted Teaching Stories-I and II for Life Positive. Write to her at jamunarangachari@gmail.com.