OK...so you've made your New Year's Resolution(s).  It's the second day of the new year....how many have you broken already?

We humans have needs....THE most irritating of those needs is the need for immediate gratification...we want it NOW....kinda reminds you of that girl in Willy Wonka who was so spoiled, she wanted everything NOW!!!

Now that you're totally frustrated, let me let you in on a little secret to the success of your resolution....STOP thinking that things will change NOW.

In order to resolve to change, you need to realize that things didn't get bad overnight.  You didn't gain 40 pounds in a week; nor did you just all of a sudden smoke 1 1/2 packs a day, so why are you setting yourself to fail by expecting to change your habit overnight?

Let me ask you another question....do you want to change?  Do you  REALLY want to lose the 40 pounds or do you feel good in your own skin?  Do you REALLY want to quit smoking or do you like to smoke?  Do you really need to smoke that much or do you want to cut back to 1/2 pack a day? What is it about YOU that you want to change or are you happy with yourself?

I applaud your resolution to change.  I invite you to caution yourself not to put your expectations so high that you fail.  For example...don't go on a crash diet.  Vow to change your eating habits gradually.....don't have dessert everynight...Sunday is good....vow to loose a pound this week...walk 1/4 mile 3 times weekly......buy that silk dress you've always wanted and hang it where you can see it everyday and when you've lost that weight...wear that dress and go out lookin' fantastic...........don't suddenly stop smoking...vow to ease yourself out of smoking... today smoke a pack...then tomorrow...19 cigarettes, the next 18 and so forth.............

AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE...DON'T QUIT BECAUSE YOU HAD A RELAPSE!!! Changes do NOT occur overnight!!!  It takes 3 weeks for you to develop a habit; and 3 times as long to break it...so don't expect your first month to be smooth.  Promise to give yourself time to change and reward yourself for each small goal achieved! 

Once you start to see the changes you've vowed to make, the path, while not always straight and narrow, does get easier.

Enjoy your day!!

Cheryl