Resolutions...hmmmmm

**WARNING: This blog is wordy, lengthy, and only talks about me... you may or may not be interested**
Every year I make New Year's resolutions. They always involve weight loss, spiritual goals, and something to do with money!! (I know...they are pretty cliche.) I usually make it about a week with the weight loss thing...three or four pay periods with the money...and a few months with the spiritual goals. Usually by July, my resolutions are completely dead and forgotten. I sometimes feel guilty, but never enough to get back on the wagon. I think, "I'm young... I've got next year." But, by the end of the year, I am extremely frustrated with myself because I realize I am the same person I started the New Year with.

But I think I have had a "revelation"... I was setting too many goals at one time and setting my standards too high. I was wanting to "patch" things, not "fix" things. I would set too many goals at one time, ultimately setting myself up for failure. After all, it took me a few decades to create some bad habits, it may take me more than a year to overcome them. Another thing.... I wasn't focusing on others. My goals were ultimately set for me and me alone. I was not wanting to change things to help better the people or world around me. So, this year, my goals are a little different.

First, everything that I change and work on will be LIFESTYLE changes...not temporary fixes. Second, every goal must be made with the intention to help better not only me, but the people and world around me. Third, I will not expect to conquer all goals in a set amount of time. Crazy, huh? I know what I want the final and ultimate outcome to be, but I will take it slow and with patience.

So, here we go... my New Years Resolution is to create a healthier me and a healthier world around me. This includes physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and environmental health. I am hoping by blogging these resolutions, I will have some accountability that I haven't had in the past... but, maybe not!

Physical: I will make working out a priority for my health..not just to look like I was when I was eighteen. (Which is a joke anyway!) If I am not a HEALTHY person, I am stealing not only from myself, but from my husband's and children's futures. I will promote more healthy eating in my family, beginning with the way I cook. After all, what I cook is ~75% of my family's diet. I will continue to choose organic when possible, even if it does cost a little more. I will find an activity that can involve the WHOLE family to get us active....and the Wii doesn't count! (I really want to start riding bikes together.)
Mental: I will work on more mental peace for myself. Most of this means working on my patience, "vibrant" emotions, and getting some mental rest. Therefore, I will MAKE some "ME TIME." If it is only 5 minutes a day, I will find some time to slow down, take a few deep breaths, and experience a moment of stillness & quiet.... this will give me tools to face this crazy world with a little sanity!
Spiritual: Only one goal here... working on my prayerlessness. The message Bro. Anthony preached on Sunday morning hit me. I have created a world and schedule for myself that limits my prayer time. SHAME ON ME! I will not accept mealtime prayers and bedtime prayers and "get me through this moment" prayers to be suffice.... this is not deepening my walk with God and helping me to KNOW Him. How can I say I know Him & walk with Him, yet we don't talk regularly and in depth? After all, aren't I supposed to be serving Him to others and teaching my kids about Him?
Financial: I know that with the economy going the way it is, many people are setting many financial goals and resolutions. I have only two... First, I want to be a better steward of my money. Period. I don't care about making more and having more. I just want to be smart with what I have...that way there is more security for my family now and in the future. Second, I want to GIVE MORE and teach my kids the same. I am blessed, unlike so many in this world who literally fight for scraps of food and drink from dirty, poluted rivers. I have the basics: love, a roof over my head, clothing to keep me warm (even though 1/2 of it doesn't fit.. ha ha), and food and clean water to nourish me. Why should I ever feel as if I am going without?
Environmental: Two goals here.... at some point this year I want to build a compost pile. I have the spot in my backyard already picked out. I just need to pick a Saturday and the whole fam will help build it (should be interesting). Second, I want to recycle in my home. Not just recycle the trash, but everything that I can reuse, I will reuse.... and I want to be creative about it and involve my family in the process. I want to be less wasteful and more protective of my environment.


So, now you see the battles I have set for 2009. And battles they will be... change does not come easy. My first major step is just getting started. But, I do have a good feeling about this. And hopefully, 365 days from now I will not be feeling frustrated, but more ACCOMPLISHED and HEALTHIER. I'll let you know how me/we are doing... so, stay tuned!