DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2025. A brand new yr has arrived; the final one is safely behind us. As at all times, this new yr brings with it our hopes for a brand new starting.
At present presents a possibility to discard harmful outdated habits for wholesome new ones, and with that in thoughts, I’ll share Pricey Abby’s often-requested record of latest yr’s resolutions — which had been tailored by my late mom, Pauline Phillips, from the unique credo of Al-Anon:
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll dwell by at the present time solely. I can’t brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I can’t set far-reaching targets or attempt to overcome all of my issues without delay. I do know that I can do one thing for twenty-four hours that may overwhelm me if I needed to stick with it for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll determine to be glad. I can’t dwell on ideas that depress me. If my thoughts fills with clouds, I’ll chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll settle for what’s. I’ll face actuality. I’ll appropriate these issues that I can appropriate and settle for these I can not.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll enhance my thoughts. I’ll learn one thing that requires effort, thought and focus. I can’t be a psychological idler.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll make a aware effort to be agreeable. I can be sort and courteous to those that cross my path, and I’ll not communicate sick of others. I’ll enhance my look, communicate softly and never interrupt when another person is speaking. Only for at the moment, I’ll chorus from bettering anyone however myself.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll do one thing constructive to enhance my well being. If I’m a smoker, I’ll give up. And I’ll get off the sofa and take a brisk stroll, even when it’s solely across the block.
JUST FOR TODAY: I’ll collect the braveness to do what is true and take duty for my very own actions.
And now, Pricey Readers, permit me to share an merchandise that was despatched to me by L.J. Bhatia, a reader from New Delhi, India:
DEAR ABBY: This yr, no resolutions, just some pointers. The Holy Vedas say, “Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflicted bondages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature.”
The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are a number of variations) accommodates a robust message:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
The place there may be hatred, let me sow love;
The place there may be harm, pardon;
The place there may be doubt, religion;
The place there may be despair, hope;
The place there may be darkness, mild;
And the place there may be disappointment, pleasure.
O Divine Grasp, grant that I’ll not a lot search to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to grasp;
To be cherished, as to like;
For it’s in giving that we obtain,
It’s in pardoning that we’re pardoned,
And it’s in dying that we’re born to everlasting life.
And so, Pricey Readers, could 2025 deliver with it good well being, peace and pleasure to all of us. — LOVE, ABBY
Pricey Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also called Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Pricey Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Field 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
