What's The Big Deal About New Year's Resolutions?
Ever make one of these? Things like: I'm going to omit sugar this year. I'm working out five mornings a week from now on. Starbucks will see me less than half the time. I will floss daily. I will read more, spend less and bake cookies for the neighbors.
Even if we don't make them out loud or write them down, I bet that many of us secretly make a resolution for the new year.
One year after meeting a college classmate's 72-year-old grandmother who had gloriously smooth skin, my New Year's promise to myself was that I too would drink only water for the rest of my life. That's what the grandma had done and look at her. My quest lasted as far as mid-February. I think that was the same year I vowed never to eat pancakes again and that didn't last, either.
Another year I compiled a very long and thorough list. I was certain obtaining the results would make me a far more accomplished and fit person. The list proved far too demanding and I was soon disappointing myself by ignoring every single item and doing the opposite. It was all just too much to follow every day.
Everywhere we turn this time of year, we hear about New Year's resolutions. On the news, in blogs, on Facebook. In magazines, sermons and from friends. We can't escape the reminder, can we? Aren't we supposed to be about becoming a better person in the new year? Someone is going to ask us about our resolutions as surely as they're going to toss a "how are you?" our way and not stick around to listen.
I settled it simply one year after surviving a nasty divorce. The company where I worked had a PR guru who asked employees to share resolutions. I shot back "To eat vegetables twice a week and go on my first date in 12 years." Yes, I got a lot of comments as well as those odd stares. Yes, I did introduce veggies to my diet as well as go on my first date once again. (And yes, that is where I met my husband now of 20 years.)
Most of us want to hit the restart button every so often, don't we? I just did that the other day on my car when I had to restore the entire computerized sound system to the factory default setting. In an instant, we were free of the problem and could start all over again fresh. No more bugs. I think that's how many of us look at each new year. A chance to make positive changes and shrug off the stuff dragging us down.
We don't have to wait an entire year to click restart, do we? But every December 31 is certainly a good reminder that if there is anything we want to upgrade in our lives, the time is certainly now.
When you make that new goal - that resolution - just take it in stride. Pray for strength to adapt to it in sections each day and you'll see success. For instance, rather than deciding you will never be that angry ever again, determine to ask God for help with your anger each portion of the day. Divide your day into time chunks and thank him along the way. You may have to go in 15-minute increments, but that will allow you the opportunity to thank him for mini successes - or ask for help. How much more practical than the global thought of never being angry again? What a way to feel God right at your elbow and involved in your everyday life.
Thanking God for being the God of second chances...and not just once each year.
Even if we don't make them out loud or write them down, I bet that many of us secretly make a resolution for the new year.
One year after meeting a college classmate's 72-year-old grandmother who had gloriously smooth skin, my New Year's promise to myself was that I too would drink only water for the rest of my life. That's what the grandma had done and look at her. My quest lasted as far as mid-February. I think that was the same year I vowed never to eat pancakes again and that didn't last, either.
Another year I compiled a very long and thorough list. I was certain obtaining the results would make me a far more accomplished and fit person. The list proved far too demanding and I was soon disappointing myself by ignoring every single item and doing the opposite. It was all just too much to follow every day.
Everywhere we turn this time of year, we hear about New Year's resolutions. On the news, in blogs, on Facebook. In magazines, sermons and from friends. We can't escape the reminder, can we? Aren't we supposed to be about becoming a better person in the new year? Someone is going to ask us about our resolutions as surely as they're going to toss a "how are you?" our way and not stick around to listen.
I settled it simply one year after surviving a nasty divorce. The company where I worked had a PR guru who asked employees to share resolutions. I shot back "To eat vegetables twice a week and go on my first date in 12 years." Yes, I got a lot of comments as well as those odd stares. Yes, I did introduce veggies to my diet as well as go on my first date once again. (And yes, that is where I met my husband now of 20 years.)
Most of us want to hit the restart button every so often, don't we? I just did that the other day on my car when I had to restore the entire computerized sound system to the factory default setting. In an instant, we were free of the problem and could start all over again fresh. No more bugs. I think that's how many of us look at each new year. A chance to make positive changes and shrug off the stuff dragging us down.
We don't have to wait an entire year to click restart, do we? But every December 31 is certainly a good reminder that if there is anything we want to upgrade in our lives, the time is certainly now.
When you make that new goal - that resolution - just take it in stride. Pray for strength to adapt to it in sections each day and you'll see success. For instance, rather than deciding you will never be that angry ever again, determine to ask God for help with your anger each portion of the day. Divide your day into time chunks and thank him along the way. You may have to go in 15-minute increments, but that will allow you the opportunity to thank him for mini successes - or ask for help. How much more practical than the global thought of never being angry again? What a way to feel God right at your elbow and involved in your everyday life.
Thanking God for being the God of second chances...and not just once each year.
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