The beginning of a new year is always interesting to me because so many people talk about the resolutions theyre going to make for the upcoming year. I started thinking about this for myself and realized that I dont particularly like the idea of resolutions. In the past, when Ive stated mine and didnt stick with them, it became another way for my Gremlin to jump in and give me grief.

Hmmm, now that Ive just said that, I think Ill make an exception and state a resolution to you right now; Gertrude will receive very little opportunity to give me grief in 2006! (Gertrude is my Gremlins name. And the Gremlin is that annoying, often negative voice in our head.)

The truth is, this particular resolution isnt really a new years resolution because its something I work on every single day anyway. I dont need a new year to create that for myself. Perhaps thats something for you to consider when thinking about changes or opportunities youd like to experience in 2006.

You can make all the promises you want to yourself involving change, but unless youre really ready to make the changes, its just not going to happen. Circumstances and people dont change just because the calendar year moved from 2005 to 2006. Change takes work and its not always easy. But when you get to the other side, its always worth it.

If your intention is to have things different in 2006 then you must first be honest with yourself and take some time to answer a few questions:

Do I really want certain areas of my life to be different?

Am I willing to do what it takes to make it different?

If I am, what will that require?

What can I do to support myself along the way?

Am I willing to follow through to receive that support?

How will my life be better when the change has happened? (Get specific here. Go beyond, Ill be happy, relaxed, peaceful. Dig deep)

When you really dive into these questions you may find some resistance showing up around them. Thats normal because when real change is involved it can be scary. All sorts of excuses start showing up as to why it cant happen. Letting go of old familiar ways and patterns can be extremely uncomfortable.

And, I promise you this....when the old familiar way gets more uncomfortable than the idea of making the change, youre on your way!

I invite you to not create a resolution for the new year and embrace whats important to you for the rest of your life, not just 12 months. And, think about what youre truly ready to move toward that will serve you for your highest good.

I also invite you to write down your thoughts. Doing this brings more clarity and gives you the opportunity to read it as often as you need to. Then read what you wrote to yourself out loud and with feeling. This helps shift you from the intellectual to a cellular state, which is where all change occurs.

Take the first step of faith. You dont have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. -Martin Luther King Jr.

With blessings, joy and abundance for the rest of your life!

Copyright 2006, Linda Salazar all rights reserved. This article may be reproduced in its entirety as long as all credits are included.