I was recently watching Forrest Gump and one scene in particular kept coming back to me. It was when Lieutenant Dan finally let go of the self loathing which had caused him so much suffering. Then, he simply said thank you to Forrest for saving his life, leaped off the shrimp boat, and gently swam off into the distance while Forrest reflected on how Lt. Dan had made his peace that day.
It would be so much easier if we could hit a reset button rather than having to go through years of self punishment and pain to reach a point of acceptance and healing but life is not that simple.
However, a new year does seem to be the closest thing we have. A new year, a new chance to start over. Even though, realistically, every day is a new day as well but people seem to prefer January 1st as their new beginning.
I openly admit self punishment and pain I am not immune to. Some I have control over. Some I don't. So, the ongoing resolutions that I, and, everyone else for that matter, throw around like: Lose weight, eat healthy, sleep more, drink less alcohol, cut down on stress, blah blah blah.... we just can't accomplish if there is more to it. For some there isn't, but, for a lot, those are only the "surface" problems and you have to work out the underlying stuff first. Then, usually, the rest will follow. So, aim big or small with your resolutions. The choice is yours but choose wisely and make it stick.
This year, I'm going big. My first bold move is I'm going off Facebook. Gasp! I know, daring right!?!
The likes, followers, comments, selfies, what you had for dinner, your political views, if you were a spirit animal which one would you be......if I'm being quite honest. I don't care. I have found it more exhausting than helpful for quite a while now and the time has come to fill those wasted moments with more useful things to do. I want to get back to the more simpler life I enjoyed pre-social media and without the distractions it has created. So, the phone is going down and my camera, art pencils, keyboard, and crossword puzzles are getting dusted off. You can see it as me "unfriending you" but I'm not. Now, we don't have to walk by each other on the sidewalk because we already know everything going on with each other from our "feeds." We might actually talk face to face again. Imagine that!
Secondly, and, most importantly, I'm learning to be kinder to myself. I internalize A LOT which is another reason why I need to dust off my old tools for stress. Sometimes,that inner voice I battle needs an outlet too. So, me and that little voice of mine are getting some much needed TLC.
And that's it but enough for now. So, finger out. Reset Button hit. Here's to a happier, simpler, and less distracted 2020.
