New Year's Opportunities for 2023

Dr. Elior Kinarthy
Psychologist

From a psychological perspective, I'm willing to look at the modern, western culture that says you should give a lot of your time and energy to others. I propose a more fulfilling perspective on how to live a better life in 2023. Life is better for everyone when people do good things for themselves… first. Hillel’s (a great Jewish Rabbi from 110 BCE to 10 CE) most famous saying is “if I am not for myself, who will be for me? And being for myself, what am I? 

Start giving more to yourself in 2023. It is not selfish; it's self-love. To love yourself means that you'll be kinder to others. Be yourself more and get in touch with your soul. Listen to the chattering of your mind a bit less and try not to be reactive to every thought and emotion. Do a bit more for yourself and a bit less for others, it's not selfish!

When you improve your attitude towards yourself, your family and friends will benefit, even those you don't get along with may improve their relationship with you once you become closer to who you are meant to be. Make 2023 the 'Year of the Soul,' your relationship with yourself and with others will become more tranquil and introspective as you become a highly self-monitoring person. To become highly self-monitoring and behaving with self-love will literally put more soul in your verbal and nonverbal behaviour. Life is short, celebrate yourself and try to bring out the best in others as well. Humans are connected to the divine, we are not just a biological species with reflexes and instincts. Express more positivity than negativity this year and this will help to reverse some situations in 2023 that appeared gloomier in 2022. 

I'll tell you a little secret that I know you sense is true… we show more love to other people and to animals when we demonstrate love for ourselves- first. Let's make 2023 the best year ever for 'human relationships.'