A New Year's Resolution You Can Actually Keep: Make Each and Every Day an Opportunity For Growth

CHICAGO, Jan. 6 -- It's not a secret many people decide to make New Year's Resolutions, with the hope to get healthier, get out of debt, go back to school, or any other number of things. It's also no secret most of these resolutions are not achieved. Timberline Knolls' Medical Director, Dr. Kimberly Dennis, who treats women struggling from eating disorders, substance abuse, mood disorders and co-occurring disorders, believes that by remembering a New Year's Resolution is simply a goal we decide to declare at the start of a new year, and taking appropriate steps, these resolutions can be realized.

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The New Year brings with it a tradition of looking towards new possibilities. "When we think of possibilities, we begin to dream of who we can become," said Dr. Kimberly Dennis, Medical Director at Timberline Knolls. "We see this time as a chance for renewal – for with a new year is an opportunity to embrace change and use the season of new beginnings as a way to ignite our good intentions by developing resolutions to guide us on our journey to new places."

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Unfortunately, many promises we make to ourselves are broken fairly shortly after they are set. The intention may be good, but actually reaching goals on this basis can be very difficult to achieve. For example, individuals may not really want to give up or change an element of their lifestyle deep-down (i.e., may not have "hit bottom" with it), but may make the commitment to do so because they think it is the "right" thing to do. Still others may want to make the change, but may not plan for it in the most effective way.

Dr. Dennis believes the following elements are key to reaching your goals:

• Make specific, non-broad goals
• Commitment with a plan of action
• Set clear and achievable steps within this plan of action
• Allow other people to help
• Believe in a power greater than yourself

It is healthy to want to change our lives for the better on January 1st. But we must not forget it is also healthy to want to improve our lives on February 1st, May 12th, December 30th, or any other day, and we must describe our goals in specific terms. It helps to seek the guidance of someone who has successfully achieved what we are trying to achieve. According to Dr. Dennis, "When it comes to goals, we need a plan of action. As many people have discovered, setting a goal or making a decision to change without taking any action ends in the same result as if the goal had never been set in the first place. We need clear steps that can be put into action to achieve a desired result."

Real and lasting change comes from the experience of awareness, acceptance and then action. Every moment holds the possibility for positive change, not just the beginning of the year. In fact, Timberline Knolls would like to suggest the first New Year's resolution on your list – to make each and every day an opportunity for growth. Look unto this day, for it is life.

About Timberline Knolls

Timberline Knolls is a residential treatment center located on 43 beautiful acres just outside Chicago, offering a nurturing environment of recovery for women ages 12 and older struggling to overcome eating disorders, substance abuse, mood disorders and co-occurring disorders. By serving with uncompromising care, relentless compassion and an unconditional joyful spirit, we help our residents help themselves in their recovery. For more information, visit www.timberlineknolls.com or call 877.257.9611.

SOURCE Timberline Knolls