It’s hard not to get the “resolution urge” around the dawn of a New Year. There’s a sense of renewal, of rebirth, and just plain guilt over missed opportunities, neglected relationships, un-achieved goals, and personal changes that we might have made, but did not. So, we resolve to do things different; to do things right; to make healthier choices.
New Year’s Resolutions are still popular. Stats tell us that 100 million Americans make New Year’s Resolutions each year. But, only 63% keep them after 2 months, and only 20% after 6 months. But, people are still fascinated with New Year’s Resolutions. I went on Google the other day to do a search and simply typed in, “New Year’s Resolutions”, and 8.65 million hits came up in 0.10 seconds! There were thousands and thousands of sites devoted to New Year’s Resolutions, or articles about them.
But here I want to go a little deeper than a New Year’s Resolution that 100 million make, but only 20% keep. It is often at the Sunset of an Old Year, and the Sunrise of a New Year that we receive new insights and shifts in thinking. This positions us for even greater success going forward. It is normal that we self-evaluate and analyze more at the pivotal moments of the end of an old year and the beginning of a New Year. For me, a New Year is an amazing opportunity to step back and look within. This helps me to look forward. I spend quality time in analysis, introspection, re-calibration, and re-focusing for a New Year. As we stand upon the Sunset of 2010, and head into the Sunrise of 2011, I want to share one insight for this New Year…
What’s The Big Idea?
My only suggestion for you in this New Year, is not to make a huge list of resolutions and changes to implement. My suggestion is one focal point; one big idea. Simply resolve this year to find a place to create and leave a positive footprint. Rather than spend your time solely focused on goals and resolutions that may or may not come to pass, simply have a singular focal point. From this focal point, many other things will flow.
This focal point revolves around creating a leaving a positive footprint in 2011. Determine now that whatever positive energy and imprint you left in 2010, that 2011 will be greater. Choose now to expand, broaden and deepen your positive and life-giving legacy in the lives of others.
See, people often spend their time building tents when they could be building temples. In other words, so many spend their time on the temporary when they could be spending their time building a legacy.
Some things that we do in this life are temporary; they are perishable. They have a “best before” date, and only last short periods of time, and benefit mainly ourselves. This is “building the tent”, so to speak. Other things we spend our time on are legacy items, things which last for significant periods of time and benefit others: “building the temple”, so to speak. The difference is mainly in the focus around temporary and personal benefit versus those things which last and benefit others. Let’s examine our focus…
Building A Tent...
Temporary Items
Short Lasting
“Best Before Date”
Short-Term Pleasures
“Today” Oriented
For The Now
Getting Through Today
Benefit To Mainly Ourselves
Building A Temple…
Legacy Items
Long Lasting
“No Expiry Date”
Long-Term Gains
“Tomorrow” Oriented
For The Future
Planning For Tomorrow
Benefits Ourselves & Others
I spent 12 years as a full-time ordained minister. In that time, I offered pastoral care to thousands of people. I remember vividly every funeral and wake I was part of, but one I remember more clearly than the others. I was used to conducting funeral services packed full of people, often with hundreds in attendance. These funerals became celebrations of the life and contributions of the one who had passed. Though there was sadness, there was also gratitude for the life lived and its contributions.
One funeral in particular stands out. It was in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia. This is a smaller community, with decent, kind, and caring people. I was called by one of our local funeral homes to conduct a service for an older gentleman who had passed away. He had requested a minister preside at his funeral. Because I did not know him, I was unsure what to expect, but as I arrived, I was shocked to see an open casket, with one mourner in attendance. I checked my watch and made sure I wasn’t early. Actually, I was five minutes late. I decided to wait another 10 minutes to see if anyone else would arrive. At 11:15am, 15 minutes after the funeral was supposed to begin, there was one mourner, an open casket, and myself present to celebrate and remember a life of more than 70 years.
I went through the motions of the funeral service, but was forever shaken by that experience. I couldn’t imagine living 70 years, and connecting with so few people and touching so few lives that there would be only one attendee at my funeral, along with a paid minister. That event shook me to my core and I resolved that I wanted to build a Temple and not a Tent with my life. I have not lived a perfect life by anyone’s estimation, but my heart and my aim has been to build a Temple-based life, benefiting others, not just living for today and for myself, but for tomorrow and for others. There can be no doubt that I will manage my time and my goals more effectively in 2011 if I spend my time building a Temple, as opposed to a Tent.
Leaving A Positive Footprint…
Who Will You Engage? Imagine now who you will engage in 2011 and impact in a positive way. Who will be the object of your life-giving energy? What family members, friends, co-workers, business associates or other people will you pour yourself into. The truth, as Anthony Robbins said, is that, “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment.” This means that as we give, we receive. As we offer ourselves, we gain. As we pour out, others pour in. Settle now who you will engage.
Why Will You Engage? The most spiritual of all values, no matter your personal religion or faith, is the value of leaving a positive footprint in the lives of others. As a person who did spend 12 years of my life in full-time, professional ministry, I was often surrounded by church-goers who felt that their attendance to church or mass or parish events was evidence of their spirituality. Somehow, they were confused into thinking that showing up at organized religious events was synonymous with the values of loving, cherishing, and pouring your life into others. My challenge to you is to re-evaluate all of your spirituality in 2011 through the prism of the impact you will have on the lives of others. If we believe we are spiritual, and yet are not selfless, compassionate, gentle and patient, perhaps our spirituality needs an overhaul. In the words of Thomas Jefferson: “I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives. For it is in our lives, and not from our works, that our religion must be read.”
How Will You Engage? In 2011, it will be difficult for us to leave a positive footprint on the lives of others without the sowing of our Time, Talent, and Treasure. The amazing thing about giving our Time, Talent, and Treasure, is that as we do, we ourselves benefit in so many ways. It isn’t always obvious, but one of the most brilliant surprises of life is that when we replenish others, we ourselves are replenished. When we refresh others, we are refreshed. Hen we sow, we reap. As Sri Guru Granth Sahib said: “Through selfless service, eternal peace is obtained.”
So, throw our the goal setting charts and graphs for 2011! You do not need a list of resolutions or targets or plans or goals! Simply this, an overwhelming, deep urge springing forth from your inside to leave a positive footprint on the lives of others. This will make 2011 your best and most productive year ever!
