New Year’s Resolutions. Where optimism reigns.

Here we are at the beginning of January.  The month we all collectively sign on the dotted line of those New Years resolutions we intend to make.  I’ve always been a ‘resolutions’ kind of a girl.  I love fresh starts, new beginnings, second chances.  I have tendency to be a little over-zealous when the New Year rolls around. I want to train for a marathon and read 52 books in a month and reorganize my whole house and take up knitting and an instrument. All today. Right now. And I usually set lofty goals only to be reminded a year later that I’m only one person—with plenty enough to do everyday—aside from learning to play the bass.

And so I am inspired to write about the things I want to change.  There’s something kinda vulnerable about making your resolutions known.  They seem more ‘official’ and thus the guilt begins to creep in because I know don’t have the best track record of keeping them.  The one I seem to keep fairly consistently is exercise.  So I always hate going to the gym on January 1st with eight million people I’ve never seen at the gym before vying for the same set of dumbells.  The comfort is, I know they won’t be there on Feb. 1.  And similiarly, my impeccably organized pantry on Jan. 1st will look like twenty toddlers have been rummaging around in it by Feb. 1st.  I slowly seem to make some good lasting changes but I’m not setting any records here.  I’ll let you have a peek of my preliminary list….and maybe you can help me.  

1.  I need to lose a little weight.  I have gained a few pounds mostly because I eat like a 9 year old. I have a serious sugar addiction. I exercise regularly and will begin training for a half marathon.  But I must find a way to cut out sugar. I have intense cravings for chocolate. This resolution, though seemingly vain has far reaching effects on my mood and energy level. Now move out of the way so I can get some ice cream, sister.  

2. Make decisions more readily. I don't make up my mind very well. I can tell you I know what I don't like, but I do struggle at deciding at what I do like. This year is a growing year. I won't lose sleep over stuff I can't control.

3.  I could tweak my meal planning a bit to include more healthy options. My meal planning is pretty good but since I’ll be working on #1 I’ll have to make some changes in the content of the food.  Tacos and chili have become a staple from week to week. I've gotten tired of pushing super healthy food on the kids and since I am cooking every night, I've surrendered in the last year and I cook mostly kid food. Sorry kids I am serving superfoods again.

4. I’d like to have a more structured Bible reading scheme.  I’d like to read the Bible through chronologically.  There are online sources that give a schedule but if you have any suggestions, let me know.  I’m compiling my reading list for ’12 but I’m not done yet.  Do you have any awesome, life-changing books I need to add? 

5.  I’d like to become a better writer. I have to get more organized and efficient with how I spend my computer time.  I keep finding more blogs I like to read…..and keep thinking of more things I like to write, but my family needs to eat and wear clean clothes and live in a clean house, so I need to be more purposeful about it.

6.  I want to be more purposeful in serving my neighbor. Service projects of some sort that the kids and I can get involved in.  Any suggestions?

7. I need more organization in my home.  I need a professional organizer to come to my house and order me around.  My house almost always looks clean and organized so I’m pretty good with the big picture.  (My car….. now that’s another story) I need organization with paperwork, receipts, clothes, and toys. Our system now, for paprwork, is to trash it and that isn't working too well. Secondly, I dream of a beautifully organized basement and attic. Our toy situation is not suitable for the kids because I think they would prefer it all over the floor. The attic is downright embarrassing. I keep getting hand me downs for clothes that I can't bear to pass on. Clark seriously has about 25 bathing suits for when he is 5.

But I’m not discouraged. I’m an optimist.  This is gonna be my year.  To get organized and charitable and skinny and spiritual. That’s why I love resolutions. Despite any past failures in these areas, I am fully confident that strides will be made and goals accomplished. You pessimists out there are shaking your heads, aren’t you?  You don’t even make resolutions because you’ve seen the outcome too many times.  You will sit on the resolutions’ sideline and just wait to see how long it takes until I’ve given in……when I’m only in the book of Exodus in July…….and I can’t find Clark's hand-me-downs in May…….and I’m up 10 pounds in September.   But that’s okay.  I love having tasks and goals.  And if only one of them ‘sticks’…..well, that’s better than nothing.  

Good thing God doesn’t use ‘resolution theology’ with us.  He knows us too well.  So he designed a plan that didn’t hinge on our sticktoittiveness.  He went the whole way.  Accomplished it all for us so that even when we fail, he forgives and gives us  ’new mercies every morning’.  Even with our ‘mostly likely to fail’ list of changes we intend to make, He has a plan that never fails.  I think schemes for personal improvement can be valuable.  I’m just thankful that’s not how my relationship with God works. 

So, what’s on your list or have you forsaken ‘the list’ altogether?