As this new year gets off to a start, I’m working to settle into a few simple patterns that, over the course of the year, I’m adopting to improve my sense of well-being. I’m sharing these with you in the hopes that you, too, might find your own pattern adjustments to increase hopefulness and encouragement each day.
So here’s three ideas I’m implementing to help keep “hope alive” in 2022!
- I’ve chosen a “Word for the Year.” Each day I wake to reflect on it and each night I calm myself with joyful remembrance of its helpful focus in my life. It’s a simple word. And it might change over the course of this year but, for now, it is drawing out the good in my life.
- I’m committing to eating a green vegetable every day—whether spinach, chard, kale, collards, green beans, broccoli. Greens are going into my eggs, meatloaf, stews, and soups, in addition to salads and dinner sides. My goal is to find a simple, consistent, not too expensive way to promote my health—and the health of my family. Greens and other vegetables and fruits, particularly dark and leafy greens, are known to improve brain, heart, eyes, bones, digestion health as well as help prevent certain diseases, such as cancer and cognitive decline.
- I’m keeping up my daily walk and adding extra minutes. Walking is my primary way of exercise during covid, and it’s also when I reflect, sing, and pray. So adding to this time gives me more of the goodness embedded in exercising outdoors.
These three strategies are simple for me to implement, which helps prevent me from becoming overwhelmed by the change that often comes in a new year. I hope you’re encouraged at the start of this year, despite the challenges all around us, to find a few small strategies of your own that will boost your sense of well-being.
You can share these within your own secure, private community created in ALICEhelps and find encouragement to stay the course as the year progresses. I, along with our team, wish you and your loved ones health and happiness as we start the new year!