New Year Resolutions Worth Contemplating

Still feeling a pang of guilt because last year'sgiving becomes an integral part of our being. Just
resolutions did not make it past Valentine's Day?as that old water pump on the farm yielded as
Perhaps those resolutions never stood a chancemuch water as desired after it was primed, a life
because you did not prime the pump first! Let methat exudes love, abundance and joy, draws
explain.more of the same qualities.
Most of us are looking for similar things in life:This year, instead of making the same old New
more time, love, joy, and quality of life. What weYear resolutions, perhaps it would be more
sometimes forget, is that we first need to primemeaningful to prime the pump with the very
the pump in order to get what we want.qualities you would like to see more of in your life!
On my grandfather's farm was a creaky oldHere are some ideas to get you started. By
water pump. Before it would start drawing waterpracticing even just one of these principles
from the well, it had to be primed with a cup ofconsistently over time, you will find that life
water. As a child, I used to marvel at thereturns to you a bountiful measure of the same.
mystery of it all - first pouring a cup of water1. I treat everyone in my life with the love and
down the pump and then pumping the squeakyrespect that I would receive from them.
lever up and down, up and down... until a small2. I believe it is more important to be loving than
stream of water would start running from theto be right, and I apply this in my life daily.
spout. Once the stream started flowing, one could3. I look for the beauty in every person and
fill up as many buckets with water as needed,everything that crosses my path.
and it all started with the simple act of priming the4. I practice lovingkindness toward all sentient
pump with water first.beings.
The water pump would not yield water if I5. I take steps to simplify my life so I can enjoy
primed it with rocks. It needed to be primed withmore with less.
water - the same substance that I desired from6. I find time to nurture my body, mind and soul,
it. In life it works the same way: we prime theeven if it is only a few minutes each day.
pump of life with that which we contribute, and7. I focus on what is right rather than what is
we attract that which we emanate. If wewrong.
emanate lack, we cannot attract abundance and if8. I forgive those who have hurt me and let go
we emanate anger, we cannot attract love.of old wrongs so there may be peace on earth. 9.
Because like attracts like, we therefore need toI look for solutions, not for scapegoats.
first prime the pump by giving of that which we10. I find and express gratitude in my life each
desire.day.
In the process, the very quality we focus on