A New Year’s Resolution That Won’t Fail

by Duong Sheahan on January 4, 2012

Photoxpress_5508622Are you starting to think about a New Year’s resolution? I’ve been thinking about some goals that I would like to accomplish in the new year. I haven’t always made a New Year’s resolution because they’ve often been broken or unfulfilled.

I think I was too focused on the doing and not having a fixed purpose for why I was making a New Year’s resolution. It all changed when I had a fixed purpose.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines resolution to means: a fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition.

Usually eating healthy, diet or exercise tops the resolutions and I bet a lot of memberships are purchased before the first of the new year by ambitious resolution makers like me, once upon a time who desire to achieve better health.

The reality is, after just a few weeks many health centers will empty out. According to one study, only 8% of all New Year’s resolutions will be kept and most are broken before the first quarter. Some won’t even bother to make a resolution that they know they won’t keep, so why bother?

Why do New Year’s Resolution Fail? I believe it’s because like myself, many are trying to make external changes rather than making changes from the inside-out, and having genuine fixed purpose.

Too often we see the condition of our body and attempt external transformations  only to quickly lose motivation and we’re right back where we were the year before. The same resolution year after year fails and we are more discouraged than ever.

I’m not saying once we make a resolution or a decision to eat healthier and exercise that we’re always perfect and never have moments where we slip. It’s not about perfection but rather about a purpose. Having a fixed purpose will prevent us from being discouraged and easily giving up.

This is why I believe New Year’s Resolutions Fail

1) Lack of Commitment: If there is a pattern of breaking commitments in our own life, chances are we will not be able to keep a New Year’s Resolution. Commitment is a promise and the ability to keep on keeping on, even when we want to quit at anything!

2) Having Doubt: Allowing doubt to filtrate our mind once we set our goals. Fear of failure causes doubt to enter in. Questioning whether or not we can meet our goals- that is called being double-minded. Being Being double-minded causes instability and will not accomplish much in any area of life, let alone a New Year’s resolution.

3) Unrealistic Goals: Setting goals that are way beyond what we can attain. Set smaller goals that are reasonable. Dream big, but start small and soon we will see progress- that will motivate us to keep moving towards that end result.

4) Self-defeating prophesies: Having negative thoughts and speaking negative words over our situation will keep us from fulfilling your New Year’s resolution. Before we even start, we are pessimistic and we wonder why we have failed our resolution only two or three weeks or for many a few days into the New Year!

5) Accountability: We are not accountable to our commitment. Having an accountability partner will keep us in check. Who we align with brings us to the next level. I’ve found that it’s important to align ourselves with like-minded people in every area of life, especially the areas that we most want to improve.

Almost ten years ago when I started my health journey to live healthier and  happier, I aligned myself with people, products, and resources that will help me achieve this goal. I searched specifically for those whose health philosophies lined up with mine and read as many books as I could on the various topics.

I  have to say that my health foundation being associated with a few of these individuals have not only enriched my life but also my family’s and many others along the way.

Photoxpress_5219421How Our  New Year’s Resolution Won’t Fail

1) Have a Fixed Purpose : As Webster’s original dictionary defines, having a fixed purpose for why we are setting a New Year’s resolution will keep us motivated and less likely to give up.

2) Have faith: This is so simple, Believe and you will achieve. So simple, yet so true. Faith allows you to see your end results. Faith says that it doesn’t matter what I see or how I look right now, I can do this. My latest post, “You Don’t Need Huge Faith” is about having faith as small as a mustard seed, you can tackle anything.

Note: Remember, faith without works is dead. Yes have faith, but faith is action!

3) Be diligent: Diligence is when we are committed regardless of circumstances around us that will try to keep us from accomplishing our new year’s goals. It’s the diligent hand that will rule.

4) Think and speak optimistically: Old habits are hard to break. If we continue to meditate on all the things that we can’t do and accomplish, before long, we’ll be speaking it out of our mouth and seeing these negative things come to pass. Your tongue can either create for you- life or death to your situation.

Successful people understand this principal. I was reminded of how powerful words and speaking positively are when I recently read a famous speech by our 40th President, Ronald Reagan, in 1987; “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” and He goes on to quote a spray painting he saw by a young Berliner, “This wall will fall. Beliefs become reality.”

Within two years, the Berlin Wall came down. This is not a coincidence my friends. Words have power.

5) Have Patience: Change will not happen overnight. It’s line upon line, here a little, there a little. Anything that is worthwhile and produces lifelong results will take time, therefore let’s be patient. I know how much I’ve had to develop patience during my health journey.

I believe if we apply these principals to our New Year’s resolution or any other goals that we want to accomplish in this new year and going forward, we will not fail!

Happy New Year!

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I recently shared my addiction with iPhoneography since being an owner of the iPhone for the first time and discovery of Streamzoo; a cool new photo sharing app that has several amazing editing options.

Streamzoo is fast growing and has updated to 2.0, making photo sharing much more fun. sz4

What’s new with Streamzoo 2.0?

For starters, we all love a little recognition for our efforts don’t we? With the new and improved Streamzoo 2.0, it features user interface and a new social gaming feature.

Photo enthusiast can now earn badges for achieving various photos and community milestones.

Ei: after sharing 25 photos from your iPhone or Android with 10 likes each, you’ll be able to earn the iPhoneography badge.

Some other cool badges include: Sunset, Dog Lovers, Socializer, Ninja most recent, Christmas for the holiday season and more.

I’ve been streamzoo’ing away this holiday season while out and about hashtagging quite a bit of magnificent #capturedmoment. I’ve also been enjoying other iPhoneographers and Androidograhper’s work in the Streamzoo community.

There are a lot of photos that just take your breath away and to think that they’re all captured and edited right on on a mobile is pretty spectacular.

photoEditing features include: Filters, Borders, TiltShift, Advanced features that allow you to change the hue, contrast, saturation, brightness & rotate the image if needed.

I’ve partnered with my few friends at Streamzoo to give away $25 iTunes gift card to some new Streamzoo’ers.

All you have to do is:

1. Give Streamzoo a try by downloading the APP and and let me know what features you like.

2. Share your Streamzoo photo by leaving your user name in the comments below.

3. Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook or Twitter and make sure to post in comments separately (for another chance).

Tweet or share: Check out new Streamzoo 2.0  photo sharing & enter 2 Win a $25 iTunes Gift Card: http://goo.gl/qwjlc

This giveaway ends on Sunday, January 1 at midnight and a winner will be selected via Random.org and notified by Monday, January 2, 2011.

Below are few of my latest iPhonepgraphy shared on Streamzoo:

 

 

9Christmas lights downtown Chicago @ The John Hancock

photo

Michigan Avenue Traffic from 48th of Bloomindales downtown Chicago

traffic

Amazing sunset from 48th Floor of Bloomingdales Building downtown Chicago

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Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Follow me on Streamzoo at iPhotonista (or click on the link to view my Streamzoo).

Disclosure: As a photo enthusiast and iPhoneography addict, I am always happy to share the latest photography tips with my readers. This post is sponsored in partnership with Streamzoo and as always, all opinions are my own.

Update: Winner– to Kari Jasus #3

Here are your random numbers:

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Timestamp: 2012-01-04 19:59:55 UTC

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A Peace the World Cannot Give

by Duong Sheahan on December 22, 2011

It seems like everywhere we turn, there is troubling news: economic crisis, natural disasters, ungodly crimes, or a new strain of harmful virus that has been unleashed.

church crossIt can be pretty depressing and discouraging if we focused on all negative things that are going on around the world.

Not that I am in denial of what’s happening around us; as a matter of fact as a wife and mother, I have to guard my heart from worrying at times about a lot of things.

I can make a hefty list but I think you can image as a fellow mom, woman, or wife reading this, all the things that try to occupy our mind with worry.

We are not exempt for worry; it comes to all of us, but it’s how we deal with it that will determine our outcome.

Instead of putting my energy on worrying, I’ve decided to put my energy towards staying in the peace of God. Yes, staying in peace takes energy because often times, there are circumstances and forces around us that tries to steal our peace.

Jesus even said that we would have many trials and sorrows on this earth, but He also told us that in Him, we would have peace.

I want to be where the “peace” is and it’s not coming from this world.

This world cannot offer us peace and stability. Our reliance cannot come from corporate America and no job is really secure is it?

When Jesus went to be with the Father, he left us some very special gifts to help us navigate through life; and one those gifts is peace. railroad

He knew that there would always be difficult days and situations that we would have to face.

I know, some people think that the Hippy generation originated “peace” but lets give credit where credit is due.

We have to trust in God more than ever and when we trust in His provision and not the world’s, then will experience a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Even when there is trouble around us, it doesn’t have to be in us when we have the peace of God living on the inside.

John 14:27 says, “I am leaving you with a giftpeace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

There is a hope and peace that comes through believing and trusting in God.

Are you in need of peace over your situation?

Remember… it’s a gift that Jesus left for you to receive. Go ahead and receive the gift of peace today!

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If you are sensitive to milk or dairy products, it may not necessarily be the milk or dairy itself, but the type of milk or dairy you are consuming.

People are missing out on the health benefits of milk due to milk and dairy intolerance.

Studies have shown that A1 Beta Casein, which is present in conventional and even many organic brand milk and dairy is the culprit to the sensitivities that people are experiencing, among a host of other digestive illnesses.

Not to mention the added hormones and antibiotics which introduces a host of other side effects.

Jordan Rubin, CEO of Garden of Life and Founder of Beyond Organic and Dr. Dan Pompa, DC,  share in this video why A1 Beta Casein is the future’s Gluten or as some refer to as, “the devil in milk.”

Dislcosure: This information is for educational purpose only and is not intended to diagnose or treat illnesses. Please consult with your physician.

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Deck The House: Christmas 2011

by Duong Sheahan on November 28, 2011

It’s that time again…let the holiday season begin!

Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally when I“deck the house.”

Today I was extremely indecisive. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted the garland to lay on top of the mantle (like in photo below or draped crossed the mantle.

DSC_1798 (2)

The dilemma with the garland on top of the mantle is that it limits your mantle space.

However, when I have garland draped across, I have to keep in mind to not over do it.

My primary colors are cream, gold and reds  but in the past I’ve even used just all cream and gold.

1995 2

(Late 90s-early 2000s)

This year, I went on Pinterest and got inspired by the dozens of Christmas Mantles & wanted to change my theme to Silver and Tiffany Blue and maybe a touch of Fuchsia. I know they guys would love that.

Ever since my daughter surprised me with a Tiffany’s coffee mug, I’ve been obsessing over that color. Well, I scratched the idea of changing my theme this year as I wasn’t about to trek out into the wild (Black Friday) to try to come up with this new color scheme I had in mind.

I stuck with my cream, gold & reds; the new kid on the mantle is this season are the Cylinders holding ornaments that I saw on Pinterest.

Oh my…have you checked out Pinterest? If not…take a minute and check out my post and then take a peak.

But, I’ll warn you. That’s all.

Pinterest had my mind spinning with all sorts of new ideas for next year and I’m already plotting out the ‘End of the Season” sales to start collecting ornaments for the new theme (Silver & Tiffany Blue).

For now…we’re sticking with the same colors. I love this time of year…having Christmas lights alone creates such a warm cozy ambiance in my family area.

Christmas décor 2011:

family room

mantle 2011

 

mantle close 2011

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tree 2011 1

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A Profound Thanksgiving Letter

by Duong Sheahan on November 21, 2011

Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving gratitude letters are an annual tradition for our children to write in advance and read at dinner  to the family the eve before we head to Wisconsin to be with our relatives.

I’ve been collecting these thoughtful gratitude letters from my kids for the past several years, saving them in a binder, and to one day pass it on to them as a keepsake and a reminder of all the things they’ve been grateful for growing up. Perhaps they’ll even read them to their own kids one day.

I read these gratitude letters every year and marvel at how much thanksgiving has been shared from their heart; at times it brings me to tears.

One year, my daughter wrote a profound gratitude letter;  it wasn’t the usual giving of thanks (for provision, each member of family, things, health, etc).

Instead, there was a twist we hadn’t expected. It was a profound reflection from her heart of those who have gone before leaving a legacy for all mankind.

One her favorite bands is Cold Play and she begins her gratitude letter with:

“As sung by Chris Martin: “Those who are dead are not dead; they’re just living in my head.”  Although this may seem to be so odd a statement, it is actually quite accurate. People are truly not dead if their legacies live on. There are many individuals God used to further His purpose.

This Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to write and explain the things in this world that I am thankful for. However, instead of the traditional “I’m thankful for my mom, my dad” etc, I decided to take a different approach and thank what ‘lives’ but does not breathe- the legacies that so many left behind on this earth to never be forgotten.

I am thankful for the many people who devoted their life to true liberty- even at the consequence of death. To them, what was worse then dying and going to heaven was being accountable for others dying and going to hell. Individuals like John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, and William Tyndale.

If it weren’t for them, the gospel would still be hidden from the people. If the gospel was still hidden, there would be no need for America and I wouldn’t even be born….”

It was important for us to instill in our children that Thanksgiving is not just a day for feasting and football but truly a historic day that started at Plymouth in 1621.

It’s a day set a side to remember and give GOD thanks for the many blessings that He’s bestowed in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving…and may God bless you abundantly above all that you could ask or think.

 

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