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As the calendar turns and the world collectively exhales the breath of a year gone by, many of us pause — if only briefly — to ask ourselves who we’ve become, what we’ve lost, what we’ve gained, and who we still want to be. New Year’s resolutions have long been the ritualistic thread that weaves reflection with hope. But for 2024, rather than a checklist of one-off goals, I’ve found more depth, clarity, and sustainability by organizing my intentions into what I call the “Three Trinities”: Books, Miles, and Matters of the Heart.

Each of these categories holds a triad of personal commitments — not to perfection, but to pursuit. This framework has not only provided focus but has also become a mirror for growth, measuring not just what I do, but how I evolve Making your New Year resolution actually work.

I. Books: Expanding the Mind, Nourishing the Soul

Books have always been more than entertainment; they are tools of transformation. In 2024, I’m dedicating myself to three types of reading — each with its own purpose: Wisdom, Perspective, and Joy.

1. Wisdom: Books That Make Me Think

Reading for wisdom is about going beyond the surface. These are the books that stretch my cognitive and spiritual limits — the ones that challenge my beliefs, deepen my philosophies, and sharpen my decision-making. This year, I’m diving into classics and contemporary works in philosophy, science, and leadership. Titles like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and Range by David Epstein are on the list — not because they are trendy, but because they force me to stop, reflect, and see the world (and myself) differently.

2. Perspective: Stories That Expand Empathy

To grow is to understand that our view of the world is partial, shaped by upbringing, geography, race, gender, and more. Perspective-broadening books — often memoirs, novels from different cultures, or journalistic accounts — allow me to inhabit lives wildly different from my own. In 2024, I want to prioritize voices from indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ authors, and writers from across the Global South. Through them, I intend to dismantle the echo chamber and build a wider bridge of compassion.

3. Joy: Reading for Pleasure

Not every book needs to be a profound intellectual exercise. Some books are simply for joy — a reminder that pleasure is itself a worthy pursuit. I’ve reserved a place in my trinity for thrillers, romantic comedies, and fantasy epics that make me lose track of time. Re-reading childhood favorites or finding new gems in genres I’ve overlooked will remind me that growth also includes laughter, escape, and the renewal of wonder.

II. Miles: The Physical Journey as a Path to Presence

While books nourish the inner world, movement roots me in the physical. I’ve structured my second trinity around Running, Traveling, and Walking — not just for the body, but for the clarity and calm they bring.

1. Running: Building Endurance and Discipline

I’m not a professional athlete, and I don’t aspire to be. But running teaches me resilience like few other things can. The slow burn of a five-mile morning jog, the discipline of lacing up when I’d rather not, the sense of accomplishment when I beat a personal record — it all spills over into other aspects of my life. This year, I’m training for a half-marathon, not to compete, but to confront the limits of my will. Running teaches me that consistency is more powerful than bursts of motivation.

2. Traveling: Embracing the Unknown

Travel in 2024, for me, is not about ticking off destinations but about intentional exploration. I want to step into spaces that challenge my comfort zone — not just internationally, but within my own country and city. Traveling solo, visiting lesser-known communities, or simply saying yes to a road trip with friends — these are the experiences that shake the dust off routine. Travel feeds curiosity, but it also nurtures humility by placing me in unfamiliar contexts where I am the learner, not the guide.

3. Walking: Practicing Mindful Presence

In an increasingly distracted world, walking is an act of rebellion. Not for steps, not for metrics, but for mindfulness. Daily walks — preferably without earbuds — have become my ritual of return. They offer space to process the day, spot patterns in my thinking, and simply breathe. Whether it's a sunrise stroll through a quiet neighborhood or an evening wander after a long day, walking reconnects me to the simple, unhurried rhythm of life.

III. Matters of the Heart: Emotional Literacy and Connection

Growth that ignores the heart is ultimately hollow. The final trinity focuses on the internal landscape of emotion, relationships, and purpose. These are the quiet but crucial aspects of life that often go unmeasured. My focus this year is on Gratitude, Vulnerability, and Service.

1. Gratitude: Practicing the Art of Enough

In a world that glorifies hustle and accumulation, gratitude is a practice of resistance. I’ve started journaling each evening — three specific things I’m grateful for — no matter how mundane. This simple act shifts my attention from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. Gratitude doesn’t eliminate ambition; it anchors it. It reminds me that success isn’t only out there — it’s already here, in the quiet moments we overlook.

2. Vulnerability: Showing Up Authentically

This year, I’m prioritizing depth over breadth in relationships. That means reaching out when I’m struggling, telling the truth about how I feel, and allowing others to do the same without judgment. Vulnerability is uncomfortable, but it’s also the birthplace of trust, intimacy, and real connection. Whether with a partner, friend, or family member, my intention is to choose courage over concealment — not every time, but more often than not.

3. Service: Living Beyond Myself

There is a unique joy in helping others — not out of obligation, but from a sense of shared humanity. In 2024, I want to be more intentional about service — not just volunteering occasionally, but integrating kindness into my daily rhythm. That could mean mentoring someone younger, checking in on a neighbor, or simply being more present in conversations. Service, in this context, is not always a grand gesture — it’s the daily choice to matter to someone else.

A Final Word: The Beauty of Balance

These “Three Trinities” — Books, Miles, and Matters of the Heart — are not rigid systems. They are fluid, evolving paths of exploration. Some weeks I will fall short. Some months, one trinity may dominate while another fades into the background. And that’s okay. Growth is not linear. What matters is the intentionality, the willingness to return, recalibrate, and recommit.