Traditionally, the beginning of a new year is when resolutions kick in. Already on social media, folks are talking about the new diets they're starting, the improved sleep habits they're adopting, or the membership to the gym that they've promised to use.
Those aren't bad goals. We should strive to live a more healthy lifestyle—eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep.
But, let's consider another kind of diet.
Your diet is not just what you put into your stomach. Your diet consists of:
what you consume on social media
the shows and movies you watch
the music you listen to
the books you read
the people you hang out with
This year, be mindful of not only what you put in your stomach, but also what you put into your body emotionally and spiritually. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2
Healthy habits for your spirit and emotions can start simply. I've heard one of the best things you can do is to start your day with gratitude. I do this. My first thought each morning is to greet God and thank Him for another day. Once I'm downstairs, I read my Bible. I pray. It sets my perspective for the day. Try it!
This new year, take the initiative to cultivate some new friendships. There's almost always someone who seems so nice, but you're both so busy. Step out and commit to a coffee date. Get to know a casual friend. Just do it!
Join a book club, it will force you to do a bit more reading and might just introduce you to some topics you'd never considered.
Be mindful of the shows and movies you watch. I am one to enter the fictional dream, and I can't consume a video diet of only very serious or tragic shows. I need something that makes me laugh, something that makes me want to step into that world. There's a popular show that streams on TV now. Several of my friends watch it. It's funny. I watched a few episodes, but the main character can't seem to complete a thought without tossing out an F-bomb. And, I just can't take that. I choose to avoid vulgar language. I know that it will bother me. So, I took that off my diet.
Listen to music that will thrill your soul. Another thing that I've added to my diet is praise music. My church puts the weekly music sung during the service on Spotify. I listen while I work and while I'm cleaning my house. After a few minutes, I feel like I'm glowing from the inside out.
Be careful of spending too much time on social media. I'm sure I don't have to trot out the reasons. You know that it's not good for you, and what you see there isn't necessarily reality. It's the highlight reel from people's reality. Here's a tip for you. If you go on Twitter (and I do for my day job), move your browser window to right. This keeps the trending topics hidden. That's where the controversy lives. Don't look. AVERT YOUR EYES. I had found that my anxiety level rose when I saw all the nasty banter that is often associated with trending topics.
Guard your mind in 2020. Remember that feelings can be unreliable. Avoid thinking in extremes, and ask Him for wisdom in emotional situations.
Here are some things to add to your diet:
Serve up some intentional kindnesses to those you come in contact with
Dish out gratitude to those who are kind to you
Stir up some patience when life gets bumpy
Friends, take care of yourself in 2020, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.