This Year, One Goal

At the beginning of every year some people have the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. I am one of those people. I buy a new notebook, get some colorful pens and I start listing resolutions and how I am going to achieve them. I even make a perfect schedule in which I have time to do everything I want. It looks beautiful; unfortunately I haven’t been able to follow it, not even the first day.

This year I was thinking- What if I only focus on one goal? What if my new year’s resolution is to love myself radically? If that is my goal this year I will make time to read God’s Word every morning, I will choose to do exercise because it will help me be stronger and feel more energetic, I will go to sleep early because my health is more important than anything that is keeping me up. I will eat healthier because it’s good for me. I will read more, surround myself with positive people, and dedicate more time to doing what I love. How you feel about yourself affects everything around you and in you. It can be a positive force which helps you propel toward your purpose or it can be a voice of fear and doubt fueled by comparison and past regrets. If this is so important shouldn’t this be my goal not only at the beginning of the year, but every day of my life?   

I love shows like Criminal Minds and Law and Order SVU. It may sound strange when I say that they help me relax, since these shows are heavy and a little scary when you think that they are based on things that can happen in daily life. What I really love about these shows is how the detectives take a situation, gather clues, analyze the evidence, follow leads, question, and think. It’s not an easy job but the final result is worth it and that is why they do it. That is how I want to approach the way I love myself. I want to analyze why I act the way I do. I want to go deeper and be brave as I face past issues that are still affecting me. I want to gather clues, analyze the evidence, question, and think. Why? Because I am worth it and I know that to love myself radically I need to deal with issues from the root so I can take them out once and for all. Because radical love requires answers to tough questions, forgiveness of people who may have hurt me in the past, sacrifice as I get rid of toxic people and things. It’s not an easy road, but it’s a beautiful experience because loving yourself radically is about being real with yourself and allowing yourself to be who you have been made to be. It starts with doing things that may not feel good in the present, but it will make a difference in the future.

Whatever you choose as your goals this year, remember that each day is a gift, an opportunity to love yourself and to love others. Keep radical love by your side, don’t let fear get in the way of getting to know yourself deeply and fully, and know how valuable you are. It’s going to be an amazing year!

Manuelita @manuelitaotero