This blog is for me, you, and others to share reflections on life, family, faith, intellectual disability, community, belonging, and whatever else emerges so that we are strengthened and influenced by the vision and values of L’Arche, and Jean Vanier, in a personal way.

Jan 23

Any New Year's Resolutions?

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Joe Egan has been a L’Arche leader for over 35 years, currently as Vice National Coordinator of L’Arche Canada. He’s seen it all and still shows up every day because of his passion and commitment to the people and mission of L’Arche. Here is what Joe has to say today.

Nathan

Any New Year’s Resolutions?

Three times a week at 6 a.m. I swim at Variety Village, a wonderful fitness centre in east Toronto for people of all abilities and sizes. Over the years I have been encouraged and inspired to keep up this good habit by George. George, now aged 90, is there most days at 6 a.m. He enjoys soaking his “old bones” in the hot tub.

George and I, and the other “regulars”, welcome with empathy those who overcrowd the locker room every January only to watch them drift away after a few weeks.

Each year this January phenomenon, lived out in various ways by many of us, raises the question: How do we make the passage from making resolutions, having good intentions, and setting goals to establishing good habits that become well integrated into our busy lives?

Many of us are held hostage to the tyranny of dieting, exercise, quitting smoking or other self-improvement projects. We often fall short of the mark that we set in spite of the buzz around us. The diet industry alone will come at us this year with the weight of its 60 billion dollar North American business.

Is there another path we can take? What would happen if we gave up all our resolutions and goals?
My intuition is to start just with one small change that we will enjoy and to create a bit more space in our lives for what really matters to us. Did you know that research shows that a brisk 30 minute walk every day cuts mortality rates by 50% from major illnesses like as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer? And you can lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

If you want to explore this human reality more deeply, I suggest you watch the TED talk by Brene Brown. She also has written an insightful book entitled The Gifts of Imperfection.

There is a kinder, gentler way forward.

Joe Egan