Breathe
by Darci Lang, Speaker and Best-Selling Author

Rather than a New Year's Resolution, I like to create a theme.  Resolutions only apply to one area of your life - a theme applies to all areas. This year my theme is Breathe.  To pick a theme motivates you to change, it is not just another resolution that never sticks!  Let me share some ideas on how I apply my theme.

This year I celebrate my 20th year as a speaker.  I need to breathe new life into my work, new processes and new ways of delivering my message. When I sit at my desk in the morning, I need to stop and take a few deep breaths, breathing in the 90% gratitude for my work. Be grateful you have a job and the health to go to it.

Darren and I have a wonderful marriage but it has not always been easy.  I am used to overcompensating for him not feeling well. I have to remember he is feeling well now and breathe . It is so easy to see the 10%s in our marriages. I need to enjoy my marriage more. Relationships are work and deserve our time. Make time on your schedule for your partner, schedule date nights, have lunch together or carve out an afternoon walk. We make time for people we don't love, why don't we put the people we love on our calendar too?

I work very hard at being a good mom.  I spend an enormous amount of time trying to raise children who will go out into the world happy.  I have to remember to breathe more, play more and relax more. Jayda and John have a happy 90% mom but they deserve a relaxed one too.  When I feel my patience running out as I wait at the door to leave for school, Jayda will shout down the stairs, "Breathe Mom!"  How will your theme affect your role as a parent?

As a family member and friend I need to breathe more. I have a wonderful brain that doesn't shut off easily.  The first thing I did was take emails off my phone unless I am traveling. In the evenings and weekends, I only receive texts from family and friends.  If I check one email in the evening, I am gone mentally for an hour. When I talk with and meet with friends and family, one of the first questions we ask each other is, "How are you doing on your theme?"

I need to remember to breathe deeply throughout my day.  Darren speaks on reversing the stress spiral and he will tell you that deep cleansing breaths calm the body.  When I am waiting in traffic or for our children to jump in the van after school I sit and breathe deeply.  Eat only food that nourishes (90% of the time), go to bed early and read only positive books. 

Make a theme right now. Commit to that theme. At the end of 2013 you will have made change, not another resolution that did not stick.

Happy NEW Year!