“Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.”
Keri Russell
Last year I was asked to write about New Years Resolutions for a Magazine. 
Frankly, I am not fond of New Years resolutions. Most of us create just another “To Do List” that do not get to the heart of things.
What is at the heart of all resolutions?
When asked “What resolution should be on everyone’s list
?” my thoughts fly through all the things I tell my patients: eat a whole food diet, give up sugar, meditate for 10 minute each day, get out in nature each week, find an exercise you love, practice gratitude, blah, blah, blah. The realization that abruptly ceased this endless “to do” list is at the core of why most people fail to really live up to their potential in health and in life. One shift lies at the root of all these resolutions, and is crucial to the success! So many of us make amazing resolutions that will improve our life, yet we may find ourselves letting things get in the way. It is now March, how many resolutions vanished?
As, I sat with a patient, I asked a series of “whys?” Just like an annoying child, after each statement about her health, I asked “why?” The purpose of this exercise was to uncover the root reason to what was blocking her from doing the things she clearly and consciously wished to achieve with her health goals. Deep under it all exist a strong need to value herself. Simply put, we must truly value ourselves to adhere to any resolution; therefore, I feel this should be top of all resolutions! We must love and value ourselves to make and adhere to beneficial changes.
What does this look like? “This Year I will value myself,” is a bold statement for many. It makes us feel narcissistic, guilty, selfish, and other things we are not fond of being. However, when you step back from judging yourself, valuing ourselves is what is required to make the world a better place. First, look no further than the your own body. If you value yourself you will make time to exercise, you will care about what you put into your body, you will sleep enough, you will say “no” to things you don’t need and “yes” to the things you do need, you will allow yourself to enjoy life more. Just like putting your oxygen mask on before you help other, this act of self love enables us to be better people, parents, co-workers, partners, lovers; because we are healthier, more relaxed, better rested and much more. Now look at the bigger impact. People that value themselves, do not get treated like doormats nor do they treat others like doormats for the simple reason that they are truly comfortable in their own skin. People who criticize others or pass judgments do so for various reasons mostly because they need to make themselves feel better. This year give yourself a loving hug by adding self-valuing to your list and improve your health at the core level.
Dr. Susan Lundgren, mission is to educate and empower individuals to take charge of their health so we all can revolutionize the health; mind, body and spirt. If you want to transform yourself and connect with your soul’s passions–beyond just valuing yourself sign up for a retreat here.
“Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.” Frank Herbert
Health, Happiness and a bit of the Mystic 