Resolutions are not my thing.
I can never keep them and they add a whole new dimension of stress to my life.
So this year I decided to focus on goals for 2017. I see 2017 as a year for striving towards wholeness. What can I do in my day to day life that will not only make me a better person, the but the world around me a better place? What are simple actions I can remind myself each week of that will allow me to grow as a woman, a minister, a wife, and most importantly a child of God? What are goals that I can set for myself that will not set me on a path of failure and heartbreak, but instead set me on a path of growth and love?
I have six goals for myself this year. Not resolutions, goals. Not stressful "must do's", but instead encouraging "do because you love them" actions.
1) Blog Intentionally
Blogs are a guilty pleasure of mine. I love reading them, and I love having one of my own. Moving into this new year I want to focus more on my own blog. It has been neglected, and in a way my lack of blogging has correlated with a neglect of my own creative self. So now I shall blog more intentionally. Who knows where it will lead. Hopefully it will be an inspiration to other bloggers and readers to continually do what they love. To find joy in the simple things. To be your true self even in the midst of a not so true social media world.
2) Give More
I must make a confession. I don't give as much as I should. Chase and I have worked so hard the past couple of years to build our marriage and lives, that giving back hasn't been on our to do list. But we know that it should of been. This year I want to spend more time giving of my time and talents than taking from others. Whether it is by sharing our home and hospitality with others or by giving time to non-profit organizations, it is important to put others before yourself.
3) Forgive More
Is is bad that I need to make another confession? Well here it is anyway. I am also bad forgiving people. When my week at work as been incredibly long, or my on-call shift at the hospital was crazy, or if I am hungry, or sleepy I can be less than forgiving. My poor husband has had to put up with my mood swings for many years now, and for that he deserves an award. I want to focus on being more humble when I am not feeling my best. I am incredibly blessed. I don't have it all, but I have all that I need. I have been forgiven way too many times to count, so it is important that I also go out of my way to forgive others as well.
4) Drink Water and Take Steps
Health and fitness resolutions have always been my least favorite. I hesitated to make a goal for myself revolve around health and fitness. However I realized that having basic healthy attitudes towards food and your body is important to also having healthy relationships with the world around you. I bought a fitbit a while back. I wore it for a while and really enjoyed it. One day the battery died and I never recharged it. Its time to recharge and reset. I know that when I drink enough water and walk around 5-6 miles a day I feel on top of my game. So why not strive to do that regularly? I don't want this to turn into an obsession, but I do want this to eventually turn into a lifestyle that is healthy and happy.
5) Marriage Investment
Marriage takes work. Marriage takes time. Marriage takes investment. And so as Chase and I go into year two of our marriage (and nearly 9 years of relationship together) our focus is on one another. We want to talk the time to make sure that we are spiritually and emotionally at our best. This means intentional quiet times together, regular date nights, and having real life chats with one another about what is on our hearts. I love my husband, and I know that he loves me. Investment in marriage now, means rewards and returns years down the road.
6) Turn Off TV
Lastly, I want this year to be more adventurous. I want to turn the TV off in the house and go outside, put together puzzles, have conversation, do projects, go exploring in my city, and make good food. I want to take the time recognize the real world around me instead of the created world on the TV in front of me. Who knows where this could lead us.
I am optimistic about 2017. I know that these goals may not be met all of the time. I understand that progress is slow, and not meant to be instant.
I also know that I am a child of God, and that I am covered in grace. My life is in front of me and I am ready to go for it. I just have to take it one day at a time.
So what do you think? What are some of your goals for 2017?
-S&C
