Why do we make resolutions? I know that I make them to get closer to or to fulfill what I feel is my purpose in life. When I resolve to do something or change my perspective, I imagine it will lead me to happiness. Isn’t that what everyone wants in one way or another, to be happy?  One way to find happiness is to practice self-care, or what I call soul-care. Here are 25 resolutions that I make on a regular basis that help me to do just that.

1. When you wake up each morning, imagine what you want to put attention on for the day.  What matters to you? What do you want to enliven in your life?  It could be that you want to keep an eye (or an ear) out for beauty, or intuition, or remember to love yourself, or practice being a good listener, or bring your attention to the present moment, experience joy, notice coincidences, etc.  What you put your attention on is enlivened in your awareness. And so you can decide what you want to focus on.

2. Discover a new practice to nourish your mind and body.  Use your imagination. You might learn a new way of cooking, eating, exercising, learn meditation, nurture or express yourself artistically through painting, yoga, dance, public speaking, etc. Try it, even if what you imagine scares you.

3. Slow down every once and a while.  Life is delicious, but we can miss it when we are racing around. No matter what you are doing, whether you are eating, showering, talking, driving, exercising, walking, reading, working, or giving a gift, savor the moments.  Don’t rush or blow yourself off. Give yourself the gift of the present.

4. Get outside every day. And this does not mean getting into your car and driving to work. Put your feet on the ground.  Smell the air, look at the sky, the stars, notice the wind.  Take a 10-30 minute walk in nature every day – without talking on your cell phone. And while you walk, give yourself a smile and at least ten full deep breaths.

5. Give your time to people over the age of 70 and under the age of 20. Or if you are over 70 or under 20, choose to be with generations other than your own.

6. Sit in silence and meditate for at least 15 minutes each day, it clears the channels of communication between you and your source. Prayer is also a nourishing practice. You can start right now, and if you want to know some easy ways to meditate, visit this link.

7. Listen literally to those around you. Assume they are telling you what they mean, and believe them. Don’t be a mind reader. Read more about how to be a good listener here.

8. Listen to your own intuition or wisdom. Ask yourself What do I really want? How can I best love myself? How can I use my talents in the world? Or any other question. Sit in the silence, and simply listen. The answers will come. Promise. As my friend Byron Katie says, the answer always meets the question. It just may not be according to your schedule.

9. Say what you mean. Be authentic. It’s a challenge at first, especially for those of us who are really concerned about what other people think of them.  Say yes when you mean yes, and no when you mean no. You’ll make it easy on yourself and everyone else this way. And you’ll save a lot of time and trouble.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants. Remember the source of your food.

11. Drink plenty of water, and not out of plastic bottles.

12. Reduce, reuse, and recycle – even more than last year. It’s a sweet thing to do, as we are all sharing this planet. And add rethink, repurpose, remember….. refuse – especially anything with too much plastic.

13. Give away anything you don’t find useful, beautiful or joyful.  Clear the extra stuff from your house, your car, your desk, your computer, your relationships, and make room for new energy into your world. Fix those little things that drive you crazy, day after day.

14. Don’t contaminate your body with toxins: whether they are toxic food or drink, toxic emotions, environments, or toxic relationships. Choose nourishing experiences for yourself. You know what they are.

15. Share your time and your talents freely to others, and practice receiving what the universe provides. Whether you realize it or not, the universe is always on your side.

16. Figure out what is your business and take care of it, what is other people’s business and stay out of it (what other people think of you is none of your business), and leave God’s business up to him or her.

17. You don’t have to win every argument, or have the last word. Even though we all want to be right, let yourself agree to disagree,, or see what happens when you remain silent.  A friend of mine sometimes says in the midst of differing viewpoints, “You could be right.” And this usually makes everyone happy.

18. This moment, this one right now, is the only moment that you can really experience. Get used to putting your attention right here and now. This is where the action is. You know your attention isn’t in the present when you feel depressed, ashamed, or anxious. Train your awareness through mindfulness practices or meditation.

19. Listen to your body’s wisdom and its sensations of comfort and discomfort. When making a choice – whether ordering off a menu or deciding who to spend time with, ask yourself, “How do I feel about this?” and pay attention to your body.  it really all boils down to either a ‘yum’ or a ‘yuck’. Your body doesn’t lie, it is always in the present moment, and that is where the wisdom can be found.

20. Don’t compare or judge your life or others’ lives. Who really knows what is happening here. You have no idea what their path in life is all about. As ancient wisdom states, Karma is unfathomable.

21. Go ahead and burn those pretty candles you’ve been saving, use your good china silverware or crystal, and wear your fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion, or the perfect date with that special someone. Date yourself. You are the one you’ve been waiting for.

22. Become more self-referral, more independent. Give up your need for the agreement or approval of others as you walk your own path.  You are the wise one. Listen to your intuition. You usually do know best.

23. Know that the world “out there” reflects your reality “in here”. The people you react most strongly to, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world. You can learn from those who drive you crazy, or whom you admire. They are there for us to become more self-aware.  What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself. What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself. Read more about this by Shadow expert Debbie Ford.

24. Practice inquiry when you notice that you think a thought over and over that causes you stress, before you believe the thought that haunts you, do The Work. Ask yourself, Is it really true? How do you react when you think that thought? What if you were unable to think that thought or didn’t believe that thought? How would you live your life without the thought? You might find a moment of peace. Read more about The Work by Byron Katie here.

25. Each night before you go to bed, take a moment to be grateful, you could find three things, or let the list go on and on. Or simply say, “Thank You.”