New Year's Intention vs. Resolutions

I have often felt ambivalent about setting New Year's resolutions.  I do agree wholeheartedly with the idea of setting goals and having things to work towards in your life, and think that it is very important aspect to often evaluate and ensure that you are working towards the goals and ideals that are important to you.  Where I have often had issue with resolutions is that they seem to be focused for the most part on limiting things...changing eating, drinking and activity patterns but not addressed in a way that is positive.  We seem to enter into these contracts with ourselves in more of a punitive state of mind, and despite the overall desired outcome of these changes being to improve our lives in one way or another, it is often seen as a negative activity.  Not many people will tell you their resolutions with a smile on their face.  It is often with a deep sigh and an underlying tone that makes the goal seem like it was forced upon them instead of entered into freely.
So as this new year started, and taking into view all that the last year held, I decided that I did want to have some focus or direction to aim towards, and decided to set an intention to guide me.  The intention that I have chosen for 2020 is to Honour Myself.  When I honestly reflect back on 2019, there were so many examples of times when I did not do this at all, and also allowed others in my life to do the same, so I decided that this was an important place to put some energy this year. 
And just what does this mean anyways...Honour Myself.....
Well, for a start it means to live my life and choose what I need in any given situation as opposed to making choices and decisions based on what I think others expect of me or expect me to do.  To allow myself to go slow when I need to, knowing things will always speed up again.  Checking in to see where I am at, and what I require to take the next steps in my journey.  Deciding where my energy is going to be focused in the short and longer terms - again where it feels that I need to focus, not where I think I should in order to satisfy someone else's agenda or expectations.  Most importantly, it means surrounding myself with people who honour me and my choices as well.  Not just people who will agree with me; people who truly care and will challenge me when I need it, coming from a place of love instead of jealousy or resentment.
I am looking forward to the year ahead on many fronts, as I feel that with this intention in place and my head and heart in sync there are endless possibilities that are ready to unfold and manifest themselves.  Let the adventure begin!

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