Saint Ignatius of Loyola with Pope Paul III. Roger Viollet Collection/Getty Images Making and breaking New Year’s resolutions is a familiar and discouraging annual ritual for many people. …
For many, New Year's resolutions do not last more than a few days or weeks. A theologian writes how we can learn from the challenges and reflections of Saint Ignatius.
Ready to Try an Old Approach to a New Year’s Resolution?
Saint Ignatius offers guidance on holding to long-term goals for self growth
Making and breaking New Year’s resolutions is a familiar and discouraging annual ritual for many people.
Almost inevitably, in a few short weeks, maybe around now, many find they are unable to meet their goals of self-improvement, be it keeping a positive attitude, improving one’s health, or looking for the best in people. Some might even feel diminished as a result of this failure.
The problem, I believe, is that most people set their resolutions without identifying a practical path for the journey.
This article was originally published on The Conversation.
Making and breaking New Year s resolutions is a familiar and discouraging annual ritual for many people.
Almost inevitably, in a few short weeks, many find they are unable to meet their goals of self-improvement, be it keeping a positive attitude, improving one s health or looking for the best in people. Some might even feel diminished as a result of this failure.
Advertisement:
The problem, as I see it, is that most people set out with their resolutions often without identifying a practical path for the journey.
As a scholar of systematic theology, I believe that Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century Spanish courtier, provides insightful guidance. He managed to reverse his life s direction to pursue a spiritual path.