By The SIL Blog Staff

Finally.

In case you missed it: we already wrapped up 2016. Our first post of 2017 will look outward. We have some resolutions we think society needs to see, we reveal the official SIL Blog 2017 Horoscopes, we pick the winners of every major US Sporting competition for 2017, and we leave you with the SIL Blog Self-Care Tips (you better master them, 2017 may be the younger meaner sister of 2016). Let’s get PUMPED!

SIL BLOG’s Resolutions For Society

America resolves to:

• Question every decision made in DC for the next four years, but especially this next year, and hold people accountable for this country’s well-being
• Avoid overreacting because someone lives a different lifestyle than oneself
• Be serious about real change, not just because of the impetus of anger
• Don’t criticize others and control your anger.
• Respect everyone’s right to choose.
• Keep your opinions to yourself, no one really cares.

The Grim Reaper resolves to take more time off

Nosy relatives resolve to try meddling and fixing their own children’s lives before daring to splutter a word of advice to another living soul.

[Straight CIS] Men resolve to:

• Stop being f*ckboys
• Work with females without sexualizing it, sometimes it is just work
• Communicate with actual words
• Stop being mama’s boys…step up to the plate boys.

Own it. Own YOUR life. Own your mistakes. Ask for help but be prepared to meet it at least half way. Be proud of your victories.

 

2017 Horoscope

2017 is the Year of the Fire Rooster according to the Chinese Zodiac. The Year of the Fire Rooster means people will be more polite and less stubborn, but they will have the tendency to complicate things.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Aquarius Woman: 2017 will see you forge a path that you may not have originally envisioned for yourself. However, while your uncompromising nature may keep you balanced emotionally, it makes you prone to stoicism in your personal relationships. Look to April and August to be your peak energy months.

Aquarius Man: Time for something –and someone– new in your life to take you out of your comfort zone. Your “lone wolf” routine is getting old.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Pisces Woman: Your compassion and overly trusting nature will lead to some trouble in your personal relationships in 2017, unless you trust your instincts. The hard work you put into your spiritual growth is on display, but don’t forget to take the time to recharge, because being the most selfless person ALL the time is draining

Pisces Man: 2017 would be a good year for you to stop playing the martyr.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Aries Woman: Your bravery will be on display during the first of the year. It is time to put that passionate optimism to greater use and take on a new challenge. Your constant on the go nature may lead to increased aggression towards those who are challenging your overall vision. However, by September you will find the clarity you seek.

Aries Man: No one likes a man-child.  

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Taurus Woman: Hubba Hubba 2017 is going to be the year of romance. The middle of the year may be filled with sudden changes and complications, but your practicality will maintain your stability. You’re seen as a reliable friend, but do not let your voice of reason be taken for granted.

Taurus Man: Everyone knows you are possessive because you are insecure.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Gemini Woman: Sometimes your sass can be seen as nervous energy. Your curious and affectionate nature will make it easier to socialize with your peers this year. Be cautious to not take yourself too seriously, 2017 looks to be a learning year for you; don’t get restless, the rewards are likely to come at the end of the year.

Gemini Man: You can’t get away with waiting and seeing, make a decision.  

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Cancer Woman: Oh girl all that work you put in last year is about to pay off! You will still have to work on persuading a few pessimistic voices around you, but it is nothing you can’t handle. Take some time to go to the beach this year, if you make it a group vacation be careful not to get sentimental; focus on the present.

Cancer Man: Have your suspicions ever been right?

Leo (Jul 23 – August 22)

Leo Woman: It is time you give up the inflexibility that you are known for. Your creativity and cheerfulness will be especially welcome among your friends. Your natural tendency to take charge will be relied upon, but don’t let your generosity be taken for granted. Expressing yourself can be hard on the old ego, but you can handle it.

Leo Man: Overly prideful people get ignored real quick.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Virgo Woman: Your softer side takes a back seat to your practicality in 2017. Do not focus so much on small details that you forget the bigger picture. Now that your goals are within reach, you can ease up on all the hard-work to enjoy your moment.

Virgo Man: You can’t marry the job.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Libra Woman: Sometimes fair and balanced all the time leads to indecisiveness. Your diplomatic skills are welcomed as it keeps the peace. Look for a lot more group social interactions in 2017, especially during the summer months. This is the year you should focus on having adventures inspired by your favorite books.

Libra Man: How are you going to carry a grudge without confronting the other person?

Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)

Scorpio Woman: Your constant resourcefulness in 2016 means you need to take the time to recharge in 2017. Your new found assertiveness may come off as stubbornness, if you let your innate distrust rule you. Your commitment to finding the truth will isolate you, lean on your long-time friends.

Scorpio Man: Communication is key, you cannot be secretive with your emotions.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Sagittarius Woman: Finding humor in small moments will be your salvation in 2017. You will draw your energy from nature this year, an ideal time to travel to new places. Your wanderings will help you appreciate your new found freedom. Be generous with the time you spend with yourself, but don’t use that as an excuse to avoid interacting with people.

Sagittarius Man: The abrasiveness in your “honesty” will weed out clingy people, but also drive others away.   

Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)

Capricorn Woman: Your ability to overly plan and prepare for better times pays off in 2017. Family bonding and a return to values will dominate the first part of the year. Do not force conformity to your idea of things, your intuitive practicality will lead you to the right solution when the time comes. Give others a chance to help, but manage your expectations as much as you manage/guide their efforts.

Capricorn Man: Your tendency to expect the worst affects those trying to get close to you more than you realize.

YAY Sports

SIL Blog Self-Care Tips

Want to know how we get through a day? Self-care (yes, wine is part of self-care). We have come-up with some tips that are borne of hours of therapy and/or self-help books, and hope that by passing them on to you, you are well-equipped to take on 2017.

 

Tip #1: Own Your Shame – a/k/a Embracing Imperfections

The way you are right now is fine. In fact, it is better than fine. It is perfect FOR YOU. Where you are is exactly where you are supposed to be. No one can tell you that you are not good enough – you already are.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” –Marianne Williamson

 

Tip #2: Power Save Mode – a/k/a Make Sure You’re Doing Right By You

Take time for you, every single day. Whether it is 10 minutes of meditation, $3 for Starbucks or letting yourself just feel your emotions, do it. If you do not take care of yourself and set your own boundaries, no one will take care of you and no one can even begin to know how to respect your unknown boundaries. It is okay to say “No.” You are the most important person to consider in every decision you make. Like they say on the airplane, “Please put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.”

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.” –Audrey Hepburn

 

Tip #3: Re-frame – a/k/a Find Silver Linings

Own your story, rewrite it if you have to and reclaim the ending to be what you wanted. Every setback has a reason, even if it is not immediately evident. Find a way to appreciate the journey, think about an experience from everyone’s perspective, and never let the automatic reaction be to think you’re unworthy. This does not mean that days will be easy. It means you have to do the hard work of finding the good in what looks terrible.

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” —Leonard Cohen

 

Tip #4: Communicate honestly, without guilt – a/k/a Keep it Real

This is the year to be honest with yourself and with others. When you start with yourself, you will find that honesty with others is much easier. Being your authentic self helps you say the hard things that were stuck in your throat before. Never put the key to your happiness in another’s pocket. Being authentic with other people allows them to be authentic too. Only good things will come if you are an Authenticity Ambassador!

“I just try my best, man, to say something about the shit I see… because I don’t want to go crazy. I don’t want to be walking around angry and feeling rage. You say something and you organize what you can.”  — Killer Mike (Run The Jewels)

“Being honest may not get you many friends, but it will always get you the right ones”  — John Lennon

Tip #5: Surround Yourself with a support system that will either fall off the ledge with you, or pull you up – a/k/a Get You A Ride Or Die Crew

This should go without saying from this blog, but you NEED your crew. When you are deep in Power Save Mode, you need people who understand and can take out the trash for you and bring you soup because you cannot get out of bed. You need that friend who will hold back your hair as you puke and lovingly leave 3 advil with a glass of water on the counter. Because one night, you will need to be that friend too. Find this crew and Ride or Die for them too. We are all in different phases of our life at different times, so know when you need to give and when you need to take. And we all have to take sometimes, do not allow yourself to feel shame for that (see Tip #1).

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Maya Angelou

“We ride together.  We die together.  Bad boys for life.” – Will Smith in Bad Boys #friendshipgoals