Happy New Year

There are actually two new years and as you are reading this, you are celebrating what is perhaps, the better of the two, especially as most college football teams are still undefeated! The gyms are empty, you have no hangover and there are no pesky resolutions to break by the 6th day of January. In fact, I contend that the Labor Day to the holidays “new year” is the best time of the year to set small goals and make big changes in your habits.

Marketers know that after labor day, the kids are back in school, we start returning to our ‘routines’ like going to our houses of worship and packing lunches, etc. Vacations are largely done and we start settling into the seasons of life again. This ‘mini-new year’ is an excellent time to assess where you are on your holistic wheel and maybe set some short term goals for yourself.

1. Physically how are you doing? The good news is that if its time to hit the gym again, parking is a breeze this year and you don’t have to train the newbies on wiping down the equipment. Or maybe just start with the goal of 10,000 steps every day or taking a walk. How about parking as far away from your office, the grocery story and other places that you stop to maximize your walking and minimize your frustration when someone grabs that spot you were eyeing? I call that a win/win!
2. Spiritually is your soul feeling fed and nourished? So many houses of worship have lost in-person attendance since Covid which was four and a half years ago. Really! Now lots of people attend online. Here’s an idea, get up and go to the church, temple or synagogue that you’ve been checking out online or meaning to check out. By the time Christmas or Hanukkah rolls around, you will be a regular and have a sense of belonging that you are craving. Make a mini resolution to go next weekend. Live north of ATL, maggie@maggiedecan.com to join me at St. David’s Episcopal at 9am next Sunday.
3. Mentally and Intellectually are you stimulated? How many books have you read this year? Have you learned a new skill? What are you doing to expand your mind and keep your brain cells growing. This is a great time of the year to dig out your library card and check out their new digital offerings as well. Sign up for a class through your town’s park and recreation program. Play Soduku. Play Chess. Keep your mind active!
4. Emotionally are you on top of your game or could you use a little tuning? Check on line and do a screening. As the days get shorter, those of us prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), like me, can start to feel the affects of less daylight and less seratonin. Make a note to get more sunshine and add a lightbox to your Amazon cart and use it. Reach out to others that you know that are prone to sadness and check on them. We need each other.
5. Socially how is it going? Is it time to tend to your friend garden? Maybe some of your friendships need a little fertilizer, some lunches or Wine Wednesdays? Or maybe you even need to weed your friend garden? As tough as that sounds, sometimes it is good for ones mental health to just admit that some friends are in different stages of life and that’s okay. God never closes one door without making sure there is another close by. Pay attention to that person who you’ve wanted to invest in for awhile, do they like all your things on Facebook and are always, always there for you. That’s a friend already.
6. Finally, how’s it going at work or in your Vocation whether you are called to work at home with your kids, be a volunteer in the community or work traditionally? Now is a great time to assess and even talk to a mentor or someone you trust about your goals. Make a 100 day plan which will take you to…. you guessed it; the other new year.

So happy new year friends. No bowl games or collard greens but lots of time to reflect and have a 100 day plan to get some things in order.

Thanks for reading!

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Dear Readers. Important news. With the launch of my upcoming book: Humbled on Purpose; Discovering Strength Through Vulnerability, Humor and Grace as well as my stepping down from running the CDA to start a speaking, consulting and coaching chapter, I have been encouraged to put all of my digital efforts under one roof, so to speak. Therefore, this will be my last Substack blog. Unless you write to me specifically to tell me otherwise at maggie@maggiedecan.com, I will migrate you over to follow my blog at WordPress and receive my newsletter which will start coming out later this month. Thank you for encouraging me! I went from 0 to 152 in a short time and I appreciate you so much! Check out my new website maggiedecan.com which is up now.

Check out my new book coming 10/8/24