I’ve been thinking about new year’s resolutions. Some people hate them and say they’re just excuses for beating yourself up in February. I, however, look at my life and am thankful for the ones I’ve made and kept.
As life changes and our families grow—or grow up—we often need to change our focus. Some things that used to work no longer do; other activities are no longer necessary. I love taking the time to take stock of how I’m living my life and to determine what goals I should concentrate on for the next year.
My life’s goals are firmly in place:
- to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and
- to love my neighbour as myself
However, each of these has so very many applications in everyday life. I could overwhelm myself by setting goals in dozens of different areas (and I do need to change in many of those), but I won’t. Many old goals I’ll just continue, such as keeping up with the ironing, a 2005 goal (now a habit) that has been a real blessing to us, and decluttering, which seems to be a necessary part of our culture. Many other things do need to be done, but aren’t worth a resolution right now. One thing I’ve learned in my almost 45 years is that I can’t do it all, and that God doesn’t ask me to, either.
Instead, the challenge facing me is to decide what few goals would maximize my everyday expression of love to my Lord and to others in 2010. Apparently, people cannot focus on more than 3 or 4 things at a time, and that’s certainly all I can manage. So I’m looking at things in my life that need changing or improving and, hopefully, getting it down to a wise choice of 3 or 4 resolutions.
In another Tea Time with Annie Kate, I’ll share what goals I’ve come up with…and I’m even more curious than you are. (Grin. After all, I’ve got to live ’em!) Until then, enjoy God’s good blessings.
For more tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday, hosted by We are THAT Family.
Thank you for stopping by my blog, I enjoyed having tea with you at yours. Something that I forgot to mention in my blog, probably because so many others already had, is that I have started asking myself "Is this getting me closer to or further away from my goals?", that seems to help. Funny thing is though often I am just enjoying a movie or feel like a soak in the tub, and the answer is "YES" this is getting me closer to my goals. Restoring the soul and the body is one of the best ways to get things done. I often crochet when watching TV (or shell peas in the gardening season) but sometimes it feels so good to just sit and enjoy. I have let up on my self when resting. Good for you on making ironing a habit, my latest habit has been to stay on top of the washer/dryer cycles, which reminds me, I need to load the dryer. Thanks again for stopping by.
I know another one that would be good for all of us to add: To do only that which God requires of us. I think too often, we try to accomplish more than what God asks of us, or we do things which God doesn't ask us to do and neglect that which He DOES want us to do.
Happy New Year! I wish you God's favor and success in all you do this year!
You're so right! We only need to do what God requires of us, and we can neglect anything but that.
I've been trying to get my goals set up, and your reminder was just what I needed.
AnnieKate
I just noticed yesterday that you commented on my blog here and asked how I keep track of my blogs. Since I had been planning to post about my planner and how I keep track of things soon I went ahead and did it yesterday and am just now I am hoping over to give you the link-I got tired!!! If you want the free planner I use and have trouble getting it, let me know, I'll walk you thorugh it. http://ow.ly/RFQA If you want to follow that blog, friend me on Face Book (Valerie Louis Neal) or Twitter, if you use those, and you'll be able to keep up with me, or click follow me on my blog.