One of the biggest mistakes that we make when we make New Year’s resolutions is that we cut away the branches when the root is really the problem. For example, the person who makes a New Year’s resolution to lose 25 pounds is often missing the real problem of gluttony. Rather than making the resolution to lose 25 pounds, a better resolution may be to pray before every meal and ask God for the strength to eat moderately and to see your eating as a way of giving God thanks. A great exercise to go through prior to making resolutions is to take the time to assess your weaknesses and strengths. We often learn about our weaknesses by reviewing our confession records or reflecting on the spiritual direction we have received in the prior year.
What are the areas that you are really struggling with? What vices seem to keep you captive and hinder you from living.
that life in Christ that you really desire? There are many good resources you can find, in book form and on the web, to help your combat vice with the corresponding virtue. Another thing that’s good to keep in mind is that grace builds upon nature. When it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, we all have a tendency to focus on nature, that is, the physical hurdles and goals before us. But keep in mind that our "physical" lives are not separate from our “spiritual” lives; in fact, they are
one.e has conquered death, and so opened the possibility of salvation to all men." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par 1019)