Resolution vs Evolution

As we approach the final days of this historic year, in the words of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson – “It’s closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” It’s time to say goodbye to 2020 (THANK GOD)  and gear up for a New Year. Depending on your perspective, 2020 was a challenging, heartbreaking year of a pandemic, isolation, loss, grief,  political turmoil, insane weather patterns and so on. Conversely, 2020 was a year of appreciating basic needs being met, a coming together of support towards the greater good of mankind, heroic acts of kindness, and an uplifting of loving our fellow humans on the path to achieving joy and happiness. Contrast always provides us with the option to see the other side and decide which path you choose to align with. So, instead of starting 2021 with resolutions, I’d like to offer the converse idea of creating an “Evolution” List.

By definition, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something whereas in contrast an evolution is the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form. The top 10 New Year’s resolutions typically look like this:

• Spend more time with family & friends
• Tame the bulge - over 70% of adults age 20 & over are overweight or obese according to the CDC
• Quit smoking
• Quit drinking
• Get out of debt
• Get organized and lighten the load
• Learn something new
• Enjoy life more and stress less
• Volunteer or help others
• Join a gym 

In order to move in the direction of more alignment, growth, freedom, space, presence, abundance, and love for 2021, take some time to ponder the following questions. Where was the gold in the shitstorms this past year? Really hone in on the silver lining in the dark clouds that loomed over your head. What did you learn from those experiences to create growth? Mining for gold is a cathartic exercise. Next, think about new people who crossed your path this year, and what did they bring to the table? Did they push you, uplift you, introduce you to new ways of being and thinking? What were the kinks in your hose that made you feel heavy, shitty, and obligatory? Identify those and make a conscious effort to make a different choice. Where can I feel more freedom in 2021? For example saying NO without feeling guilty, spending more time with people you love and less time feeling “obligated” to do things that irk you. How do you most want to FEEL in 2021? 

Once you’ve identified some answers, perhaps your Evolution List may resemble something like this:

• Explore contrast and variety
• Challenge your habits of thought - find the thoughts that make you feel good and think those more often.
• Stop trying so hard and thinking so much - be vs do!
• Stop tending to the beliefs that no longer serve you.
• Reset yourself through meditation - the only true way to change is to connect to your inner being through silence and see what shows up.
• Get tuned in, tapped in and turned on as Esther Hicks would say!
• Deliberately create your day - start off with how you want to feel and only do the things that create those feelings. 
• Spend time in gratitude. 
• Start journaling
• Create a list of what you want vs. what you don’t want - what you focus on you find more of the same.

It is my intention and hope that 2021 is your most positive, joyful and uplifting year yet. I hope this served you as it has for me. After all, it’s always an Inside-Project See you in 2021! Peace Out!