IMG_0988

We’re in that time of year when we all seek to leverage the fresh-start effect to better ourselves, and in doing so we tend to come up with new year resolutions. We draw up a list of goals we wish to achieve, changes we wish to make, and habits we wish to imbibe or break. These all sound good in theory, but a quick Google search will reveal various statistics and figures which show that we almost always fail in our quests to live according to our New Year resolutions. 

This is largely why I’ve not made any New Year resolutions for the last few years, and it won’t surprise you to learn that this year is no different. Instead of resolutions, I tend to go the way of intentions, which I consider principles to guide how I wish to live my life. Some (if not most) of these aren’t new, so it’s a matter of reiterating them.

What’s the difference between intentions and resolutions, you might ask? Without getting too bogged down by semantics, I think of intentions as guiding principles – beacons, if you will – compared to resolutions, which are more like set goals and metrics to be attained and achieved at specific points. So, with this in mind, here are some (non-exhaustive) intentions for 2025.

This year…

I intend to live with the freedom, naivete and juvenile care-free attitude of a child, because child-like innocence makes the world a more interesting place. To do so, I will approach interactions with others without thinking they’re out to get me, or they’re looking to take advantage of me, or they’re harbouring ulterior motives. I will be ready to receive and match the kindness of strangers. I will do nice things for others, just because. 

I intend to be inquisitive and curious, because it is important to ask questions rather than make assumptions about others’ intentions. To do so, I will look at things as I’ve never seen them before, with fresh eyes, devoid of prejudice. I will dare to be different, to explore, to take risks in search of serendipitous discovery. 

I intend to nurture my creativity, because it behoves me to be intentional in my artistic pursuits. To do so, I will read books and listen to new music. And I will write. I will write essays, short stories, long stories, and music. I will go out and play some of this music live. 

I intend to nurture my relationships, because in relationships as in life, you get what you put in. To do so, I will call and text my friends and family. I will go on many dates with my wife – coffee dates, dinner dates, walking dates, and holidays.

I like to think I already live my life in line with these values and intentions. Still, this is me making a public declaration of the values I hold dear, and a conscious effort to see these values manifested in my daily life this year. However you choose to live this year, whether it be in pursuit of goals or resolutions, or in line with values and intentions, here's hoping that 2025 is full of joy, laughter, art, and all the beautiful and wonderful things that enrich this human existence we share.

P.S.: My debut non-fiction book, Art Is The Way, and my middle-grade novella, A Hollade Christmas, are out everywhere now. You can get them in all good bookstores and from all major online vendors.

 

 

drfabola Uncategorized