You may well have heard this story before, but it’s a great one to be reminded of from time to time, particularly at the start of a new year. 

 

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. 

 

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. 

 

“It is a terrible fight and is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.” 

 

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. 

You may think us a tad over optimistic (!) but we would like to think that the majority of topics we cover in this blog – and suggestions made – boil down to simple commonsense. Or, as an online dictionary so beautifully put it: 

 

“the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way.” 

 

Sadly conversations with clients – and sometimes with family and friends too (!) – often show that this is not the case at all. 

Now, before you panic, this isn’t a follow on from our last post about New Year’s resolutions... We’re not going to advocate a 5 mile run followed by a bracing cold shower and finished off with carrot sticks for breakfast (!). That’s unless you want to, of course!?! 

 

So what are we going to talk about? 

 

Well, in fact, almost the opposite. A gentler start to the day. One which sees you leaving home feeling calm, relaxed and ready for the day; rather than frazzled and, probably, bad tempered too. 

It’s that time of year – again (!) – so time for a different perspective on the dreaded New Year’s resolutions. 

 

Last year we suggested a kinder – and gentler – way to start the year. Ditching the big life changing resolutions, which rarely make it past twelfth night and are so negative.  

 

Focussing on the things you’re not going to do this year, rather than those you are. NOT drinking. NOT smoking. NOT vegetating on the sofa. NOT ……………………….. (fill in the blank). 

 

Is it any wonder that so many people start the New Year feeling miserable?