By Claralynn Schnell of Contemporary VA

“The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living the life of your dreams today, in every little way you possibly can”. -Mike Dooley

It’s a new year, resolutions are flying and intentions are packed with good thoughts, until a week goes by and we have broken our resolutions and we are feeling down on ourselves.  How can this year be different? Make some realistic changes and goals and you will not feel the slump of failure.

I always feel like the New Year should be accompanied by rain. There is nothing as amazing as the fresh smell after rain and how everything looks clean and perfect, literally makes me smile thinking of it! I should say this…I am from the Pacific Northwest…a place known for rain.  However, I believe that rain gives that symbol of a fresh and clean start.

Is it possible that 2013 has seen the end of some dreams and the beginning of others? If so, take that momentum and keep going. Are your resolutions simple? Complicated? Silly? Whatever they might be, if you take a couple of small steps and set small goals you can and will accomplish these changes. 

My biggest resolution for the year was to make time to exercise every day. Something that I miss terribly, but since becoming a single mom has felt like an impossible task.  However, I just found a great workout that last 25 minutes and you are covered in sweat by the end.  I can fit 25 minutes of me time into my day and I can do it from my living room! Perfect! I can now take that small step of reaching my goals.

I am not a typical resolution girl because I feel like they always fail, so I make “goals” for the New Year.  My second goal for the New Year is to remain positive in negative situations and take the higher road. I do not need to engage in anything negative and have the ability to walk away from any situation in which I feel uncomfortable.

Are you struggling with the changes that you want to make in your life? Are you at a loss for how you should begin? Contact Paul and he can help you to find your right path.