Promise of Purpose

Hey, we're three weeks into January. AGH!

Tick, tick, tick, the hands of time indeed press forward, reminding us of how fleeting these passing days are. In the spirit of saving time, I have a brief blog post for you today. I hope that these two minutes will leave you thinking.

To start with, I have a question for you. Have you ditched your resolution or even made one yet?

If so, you are like most people. So, how can we make a change? Here's what I've been thinking.

The new year offers us a chance to start again, like a reset button of sorts. Every year, we resolve to change, eat healthier, exercise, and get organized - you get the idea. We dive in headfirst with bright ideas for improvement, telling ourselves this time will be different, only to fizzle out a few short weeks later. We're unable to sustain our momentum and enthusiasm, concluding the attempt with little to show for it, ushering us back to our old comfort zones and routines. We seem almost doomed from the start. I am certainly guilty of getting stuck in this cycle, as many of us are. It begins to feel like the very definition of resolution has lost meaning.

What if we change our approach to our resolutions by not making one at all? What if we did better? I'm not suggesting that you skip it all and go about your daily business. Instead, gift yourself a promise of purpose instead of making a New Year's resolution. I like the sound of that, don't you?

So, modifying our perception by creating purpose in our life can give everything more significance. It has the remarkable ability to help keep us focused and stick with our journey in the long term, and there is no greater purpose than one that centers on caring for others.

Doing good for others offers us a feeling of pride and accomplishment. It feels great when we are helpful. We are nourishing our souls while providing vital support to those in need. We are offering them grace in their vulnerability, recognizing that their life has value, and they will not be alone in their time of need.

At some point in our lives, we will all struggle. None of us are immune to the pains that happen in life—dealing with our health and mental health, a family member's illness or death, abuse, neglect, discrimination, inequality, ageism, sexism, disability. This list can go on and on. The compassion of a kindred spirit will be our salvation from the darkness, yet this essential element of connectedness is often absent in daily life. No wonder we struggle to find our footing. What do we need to change to make a difference?

The first step is to do the hard work of taking a clear look inward. Take time to observe yourself honestly, recognizing your shadow self. Call things by their names and own up to our mistakes instead of hiding from them. Be aware and truly accept where our strengths and weaknesses lie because we first need to be humble.

Now, with our hats in hand, we can begin to see the world through a lens of compassion—opening our minds to be aware of others' struggles and see ourselves in them. Here, we have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others and develop our minds toward lasting change. Thus, you can heal yourself through kindness towards others.

These efforts need not be of heroic proportions. Sometimes, we need to take baby steps. Our good deeds are cumulative. No act of goodwill is ever too small to make a difference. So don't discount the little stuff. Let each good deed ignite another.

Perhaps what we needed all along was to connect with our purpose in life and become united with one another—then let this almost magical feeling of oneness guide us on our way to becoming whole and happy.

So the real question is, when will you make your promise of purpose?

Much love to you all in this new year.

Bryony Grealish

The Fingerless Kitchen