Resolving to Make a Difference

It is that time of year again that we reflect on the past and resolve to make changes for the future. Gyms will be jam packed ... for a couple months, houses will be organized ... for a little while, and savings accounts will receive a few more deposits. 

Our resolutions are made with all good intentions but our lives get busy and we find ourselves slipping back into familiar ruts, a place we find comfortable. One survey suggests that 92 percent of resolutions are not achieved. I don't think anyone would be surprised by this figure. Researchers and psychologists would concur that changing behaviors is far from simple and takes more than good intentions.

So how do we go about making positive change? One key to achieving your goal is finding ways to stay motivated. An effective way to stay motivated is to work toward your goal with others who share your same goal. It's much easier to work out with a buddy. Isn't it easier to eat healthy when everyone around you is eating healthy? It's hard to eat carrots when everyone else at the table is eating cake. Now just imagine if everyone in your community shared the same goal and supported each other in an effort to achieve that goal. Heck, we'd all be thin, organized and have a nice nest egg!

It is this thought that makes me optimistic about a new initiative in Brookfield and Elm Grove. The Elmbrook Community Health Coalition is a non-profit, grassroots organization whose purpose is to positively affect the physical, social and mental health of our youth. Through education, programming and a supportive environment we hope to equip and empower our youth to make positive decisions. Let's face it, our kids live in a fast moving, high tech world. Part of that is great — our kids have access to so much — and part of it is not so great — our kids have access to so much — a blessing and a curse. Although the physical rate of development of our children's brains have not changed the world around them sure has. It's easy to forget that they are children not just small adults, perhaps this is why adolescent stress, anxiety and depression is on a rise. The phrase "Oh to be a kid again" well, to be perfectly honest I wouldn't want to be a kid today; there is nothing simple about childhood anymore.  

Members of the Elmbrook Community Health Coalition (ECHC) have been assessing needs and gaps and will start the new year brainstorming and researching ways to positively impact our youth. This coalition is in its early stage of development, however, there are already many dedicated and passionate people meeting to affect change in our community. In order to make a greater impact we need more people, people with different skills, perspectives, expertise and ideas; people who share our goal of keeping our kids safe while enabling them to reach their greatest potential. Perhaps we need people like you! We invite you to check ECHC out. The group will meet next on Jan. 17th, Tuesday, at 1 p.m. at the Brookfield Public Library Large Meeting Room. We will save you a seat.

For more information about ECHC please contact me at sandraschultz@live.com.

I wish everyone a Happy Healthy New Year, may every day bring you closer to what is important in your life!

Sandra

"Make a difference, do something positive today"