As the great Michael Jackson once said "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.". I have long ago given up on my grandeur delusions that I can somehow change the world fundamentally, I mean fuck... Gandhi, King Jr., JFK... they couldn't single-handedly change systems but what they did was infect a majority of people with an idea. NB The picture is a perfect visual representation of what I am trying to say! :)So, accepting that everyday is a learning day for me as of today I have a few New Year Resolutions that I plan on sticking to!
I am sharing them with you because I think they are not bad ideas.
1.Local Shops. I am making a list of things I can purchase from local shops (e.g. second hand books, films, food, candles). I have a few weeks before I start university again so I plan to scout the town and find little privately owned shops. I know the products sold will be a bit more expensive than the big chains but I am making the conscious decision that from now on I will VOTE with my money. I don't know if you've noticed but McDonalds has started closing restaurant after restaurant all because people are choosing not to buy their poisonous products! So from today, my friend, whenever you buy something think first: (1) do I really need this thing and (2) does the place I am buying it from pays its taxes :D.
2.Eat less animal products. I don't usually eat a lot of meat however after watching a documentary called Cowspiracy it only makes sense to rethink my carnivore habits. There are three reasons (1) Would you kill an animal yourself to eat it? Just think about it...if you think you are unable to kill an animal even in a controlled environment such as a slaughterhouse why are you OK with someone else killing that animal for you? Please, as horrible as it sounds, watch a video of how different animals are killed. Yes in circumstances of starvation I probably would kill an animal to eat it but that's not the case in the country I live in so why not spare it and just eat a banana?? (2) The film is produced by Leonardo DiCaprio who is passionate about fighting climate change. The film argues a very believable point: the number one environment killer is animal agriculture. (3) As a firm believer of the FACT that everything is connected, just imagine the pain and suffering (chemically) that you are consuming in the meat of a brutally killed animal.
3.Learn to let go. Although I have a little poster next to my bed with a quote from Bill Hicks "Hey don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride" for the past year I have notice that I was getting more and more anxious about stuff. I became a chronic worrier. That constant state of worry wears you down. I realised not long ago what the true meaning of letting go is achieved through habit and repetition. So this being part of my new year resolution: Learn to let go, it is not something you achieve in a day, you have to practise it everyday! Nothing helps me remind myself that my worries are all but illusions than the great scene from the film Instinct:
4, LISTS LISTS LISTS. As a chronic over-thinker and someone who is analysing themselves 24/7 I am a huge fan of lists! I have a "Dear Diary" in which I have began to record my mood of the day, a simple analysis of what made me feel like that AND the most important part: 5 things I am thankful for today. Pretty much number 1 is always my DOG and 2 is my BED. No matter how low you feel you can always find at least 5 things that are worth living and breathing for! Its an amazing idea to be thankful for something right before you go to bed because no matter how shit the day was, HEY!, you have your warm bed! AND you are breathing! And fluffy socks....oh do fluffy socks dominate my list every night!
5. Music. As strange as it is I have noticed that I've stopped listening to my favourite songs in the past year. If you can be bothered do read some journals and even books on the influence of music on our lives. Again, as a constant self-analyser, I have noticed that I have certain days where I am lacking something emotionally (I call them deficits). For example, I have days where I feel full of energy but I feel too anxious to seize the day, my deficit in that situation is BADASS. So, as lacking badass I play Ace of Spades or Holy Diver and instantaneously my mind believes its badass and I am able to go out my flat feeling capable of conquering the world. WARNING! If you are feeling perfectly fine and just want to listen to music DO NOT, and I repeat- DO NOT EVER listen to Jeff Buckley. That man will make you miss your ex from 10 years ago and you will get all depressed about why things didn't work out when yous were 17 even though it felt like the greatest love of all!
6. Challenge yourself.
Could not emphasise on this more! The other day I went to my first Aikido class. I have always wanted to learn Aikido however being the anxious mess that I am now I never had the strength to go. This was so out of my comfort zone, going to a gym where I don't know anyone, dressed in my trackies and tshirt considering everyone would be wearing their gi, and being totally new to the whole thing! But I did it and I felt so alive and proud of myself. So if there is one thing that you are scared of doing, that is outside your comfort zone: DO IT. The feeling afterwards is soo worth it.
PS. Make your own list of things you would like to do. Forget about losing weight, stopping smoking etc. Look really deep into yourself and see what you would really honestly want to improve. But most importantly be kind. Be kind to yourself and others. That is my biggest new year resolution and it should be yours too! :)
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