What's well-being got to do with your New Year's resolution?

Photo courtesy of
www.iheartpublix.com

     The New Year has now been upon us for 51 days. How are those New Year's resolutions coming?

     Nearly 40 percent of Americans make New Year's resolutions each year. Out of that percentage, though, only 8 percent of Americans actually achieve their goals.

     I am not part of that 8 percent of Americans Scranton University suggests who keeps their goals. My determination to go to the gym every morning at 6 and to give up excessive amounts of sugar has slowly begun to wane as life and the usual pressures of school begin to set back in. As much as I want to be part of this exclusive group, I always have trouble sticking to my goals. So how do I and the other 32 percent of goal-making Americans keep those good-intended goals?

What would you do for better well-being?

     What defines success or happiness in life? A high-paying salary? A warm, cozy house? A family to care for? A successful, fulfilling career? While we all may be looking to gain these things, or something similar, throughout our lives, they all influence one important part of who we are - our well-being.

Photo courtesy of www.hwbuk.com

     While the study of psychological well-being has been a fairly recent phenomenon, the concept has been one people have been aware of for centuries. Well-being, simply put, is a state of happiness and satisfaction based on certain aspects of one's life.

     For the next few months, this blog will feature a series on well-being - what parts of our lives influence our overall well-being, and how can we improve our own well-being? Using research and information found on various websites along with information from leading well-being researchers, the posts will work to help readers become aware of their well-being and improve it within their own lives.

Altruism 2: The power of social media

Photo courtesy of
thomascrampton.com

               How do you connect over social media sites like Facebook?

                Birthdays?

                Hometowns?

                Colleges?

                Work experience?

                What about organ donation?

                As of Tuesday, May 1, Facebook users can now connect with others by posting their organ donor status on their timeline.

Live: Make a bucket list

Photo courtesy of
imdb.com

               What’s the best way to get the most out of your life and live for each and every moment?

                Make a bucket list and stick to it.

                No, these lists are not just for the elderly dying of cancer or some incurable disease like Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson in the movie The Bucket List. These lists are for anyone who wants to be able to look back at the end of their life and be surprised at all they accomplished.

Purpose: Define your life

Photo courtesy of
transformleaders.tv

         Do you know what your purpose in life is?

         Speaking out for those who have no voice?

         Bringing justice to those who have been falsely accused?

         At this point in life, you might not know what you will do – I know I don’t.

               But I do know people in this world inspire me by defining their lives through their purpose.

                TIME Magazine recently released its 100 Most Influential People in the World list. Each person on the list has found his or her purpose. They have chosen to dedicate their lives to promoting some kind of goodness.

Honor: Recognize the unnoticed deeds

Photo courtesy of
licensingbook.com

                When you hear the name Derek Jeter, what comes to mind?

                The poster child for baseball?

   The New York Yankees captain?

                My future husband?

                While not all of these thoughts or images might have popped into your head, did you ever consider him as the founder of the Turn 2 Foundation?

Awe: Take some time to slow down

Photo courtesy of
undergroundwellness.com

             Did you watch the sun rise this morning?

             How about inhale a deep breath of fresh air?

             When did you last see a child’s eyes light up in awe?

             Has it been a while since you slowed down and noticed the little things?

             It has for me. I am probably the guiltiest of all when it comes to rushing through life. I juggle way too many things at once, always saying yes and never relaxing.

             I do not know if I am like this because I like being in control of everything that affects me or because I do not want to waste one moment of my life.