10 reasonable New Year's resolutions

1. Learn how to politely say “No!” Say what you mean and say it like you mean it. You can’t please or be everything to everybody, so first be true to your ever-loving self. The quickest way to achieve self-satisfaction is by looking out for No 1, while simultaneously volunteering to help less fortunate others by inspiring, encouraging and motivating them with savvy know-how to help themselves.

2. Replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity to reach beyond and positively im-pact other people’s lives. By focusing on how and what we have to offer, we automatically become successful.

3. Spend more quality time with family and chosen friends. Find a soul mate to love unequivocally who shares and respects your worldview, perspectives and dreams, and passionately complements your core beliefs, values, needs and special interests.

4. Rise above the petty little things. Complain less, leaving ample room for gratitude and happiness. Become more forgiving, flexibly tolerant and less critical, contrary, stubborn and judgmental. Develop a kindlier, gentler “silly” outlook. If you learn to laugh at yourself, you’ll never cease to be amused.

5. Maintain a healthy balance between work and play. Practice holistic healing. Getting fitter helps build vitality. Exercise regularly and stick to a do-or-diet regimen. Opt for the stairs rather than the lift, for fruit not ice cream.

6. Be quiet! Set aside a few minutes every day to do nothing save meditation or reflection. No TV, no computer, no talking, no outside distractions as you explore the peaceful, contemplative silence to observe what insights enter and exit your open 24/7 mindful soul.

7. Trust that everything happens for a predestined reason. Accept whatever occurs and choose how you want to react to it, with honesty and flexibility. Loosen your up-tight obsessive grip on must-do and have-to lists and develop resilient life-coping skills.

8. Get organised and pride yourself on being reliably on time. Reduce clutter, renovate lazy habits and manage your tidy housekeeping responsibilities. However, never be too busy to waste some time, to doodle and daydream, to feel more relaxed and carefree.

9. Stick to a realistic budget that will prevent impulsive overspending and ensure sensible financial stability, ultimately reducing debts. Take care of past bad habits by paying cash rather than using credit cards.

10. Challenge your mindset to break out of current mundane rut-tine seemingly safe comfort zones. Indulge your curious life-learning spirit by acting alive and living each precious, moment-to-moment experience fully and well.

Pax vobiscum!

‘No Holds Bard’ Dr Charles Frederickson