Millennium Intentions

Politics for the People!

Millennium Intentions

As the New Year drew closer, I pondered the thought of resolutions, thinking any resolutions for this first year of the Millennium should be special and should be real commitments, not something easily and quickly discarded. That lead to some thoughts about resolutions in general ... what leads us to make them and why we so often fail to keep them.

With all these thoughts spinning in my head, I got the latest edition of Molly Gordon's "New Leaf" dated December 24th and found buried treasure within the paragraphs of this weekly newsletter. The following information is reprinted with Molly's permission.

4. Working Thoughts: Bless Yourself with Daily Practice

As the year draws to a close it is natural to review where we've been and where we want to go. Rather than concentrate on the choices I face in the coming months, I've decided to concentrate on cultivating a strong center. I want to be able to make and follow plans and also to accept, integrate, and transform the surprises that come along. That's why the one plan and one resolution that I am implementing in the new year is to perform a simple, daily integrated practice.

Here are some things I'm keeping in mind as I make this commitment:

1. Practice is it's own reward. Success, failure, and plateaus will occur along the way, and they are largely incidental to the value of the practice itself.
2. The way to start is to start, not to wait until I can do all parts of my practice perfectly.
3. To manage the gremlins of perfectionism and procrastination, I use the 4/5/7 approach: Practicing seven times is of supreme value; practicing five times is success; practicing four times in a week is my nonnegotiable bottom line.
4. Community amplifies the benefits of practice.
5. An integrated practice exercises body, mind, and spirit.
6. A practice log or journal helps sustain my commitment.

The practice that fits my life and that is simple is the one that I will sustain. Keep it simple. My favorite model for an integrated practice is the one described at length in "The Life We Are Given" by George Leonard and Michael Murphy. If you prefer to design your own practice, I recommend Leonard's book "Mastery" for its insights into the relationship between practice and accomplishment.

Whether you are feeling powerful and energized or overwhelmed and victimized, a daily practice brings focus, discipline, and serenity into your life. Daily practice is a blessing you can choose now. Have a great last week of the year, and a purposeful and prosperous new year.

Thanks, Molly! That says it perfectly!

Molly Gordon is a Certified Professional Coach. To learn more about Molly and Personal Coaching, please visit Molly's site. To subscribe to Molly's weekly newsletter "The New Leaf" e-mail Molly.

In the Forums at Xisti.com, Molly is known as Ladybug.

Peggy Erickson
1/11/01