2017 begins in New Mexico this year and we are seeing real winter for the moment: clouds hiding the Sandia Mountains, wet acequia ditches, muddy boots, wool hats covering ears. For some of us, the new year symbolizes the ability to begin again, reset, and plan how we want the next year to unfold. Intentions have the ability to help us align with the best version of ourselves.

But the new year can also bring up areas of lack and anxiety. The things we wish we did, the change we wished had already occurred both internally and externally. For some of us that may mean remembering the beginning of 2016 and the intentions kept or the ones that didn’t quite settle in. I find a lot of times when I think of beginning again I want to stack up intentions like library books, the higher the better. For instance I may decide to commit more fully to self-care, three days of strength training per week, morning meditation, kale drinks and donating time to causes that matter to me. At this point in my life I know if I am starting at ground zero on all these intentions, my success rate is minimal at best.

How can we create the life we want, and set intentions that stick? More importantly, how can we set intentions that add value in our life over the long haul?

This is a question I have grappled with through the years so on my forty-fourth birthday I decided I would walk 44 kilometers (about 27 miles per week) a week for an entire year. I did it as an experiment, to see what would come of committing to a year long practice. I achieved the year of walking the distance but the accomplishment was less important than what I have now years later. A daily practice which benefits my emotional, mental, physical, spiritual well-being and joy.

The downside of my year-long commitment was because I was walking almost four miles a day, it was the primary focus of my life. Yoga, writing, and time with friends all became secondary and somewhat non-existent. I began to wonder how to let go of tunnel vision to cultivate an expansive perspective.

So how can we review our intentions and decide what really matters and possibly turnonesmallactionintoalife-alteringhabit? Or even something that will add profoundly to our life in the short term?

So here is the challenge for implementing positive change. Start with one small commitment on a regular basis for at least thirty days but I would challenge you if it is important, go longer. Think about what you want, maybe it’s to feel physically and emotionally stronger, begin a 15-minute yoga practice, you want to feel more grounded, 5-10 minutes of meditation or if you want to write a book, even five minutes a day is a great start. It is much easier to add to the duration of a practice once it becomes a habit than starting from zero. Creating micro-movements that are easy to fulfill and stick to can offer bursts of true encouragement.

Small efforts over time create big results. So maybe consider breaking down that list of intentions. Instead of vowing to take in no sugar, volunteer at the local charity, make daily affirmations, take one and let it settle for a month plus. Then add more.

Many blessings to you and all your beloveds in the new year!