So… it’s the beginning of a new year…

Do you have a plan for it?

or do you “Make New Years’ Resolutions”?

I think the question is… What do you want for your life?

Do you want “things”?  Do you want “to look good” to others?

Do you want to be “healthier”… “more fit”?

What do you really want for your life?  That’s the right question.

Do you want to be “happier”?

New Years’ Resolutions won’t get you there. Whatever it is that you want.

Why do you want to “look good”?

Why do you want “the things”?

Why do you want to be healthier or more fit?

Why do you want to be happier?

… or want better relationships?

…more time? … more energy? … more money?

Why do you want what you want?

Solomon told a truth when he said he was the most wise person that had lived up til that time; had more possessions, and had done more things than anyone else up until that time.  But after all that, he counted it all as a chasing after the wind.

The reason we do things… the reason we want things… if it’s not rooted in goodness for our higher power, or for others, it will be meaningless in the end.

So, should we NOT want things to be better for ourselves? 

Oh, yes.  We certainly should want better, and God blessed Solomon’s desires—as He can bless ours.  But if we continue in pursuit of what we want, and forget others, and forget where our blessings come from, in the end it’s all meaningless.

Can we “give” too much of ourselves?

I’ve seen, and also experienced, giving past what was in my own storehouse to give.  That’s not good because you give more than you can, and you have no strength for yourself, and no reserve to fall back on.

But yet, giving sacrificially can be the most meaningful giving.  And will be blessed.

It’s up to us to give of ourselves, and of our possessions, but we do have to take care of ourselves in the process.  If we give more than we have, financially, and give ourselves into bankruptcy, what is the gain?  Then we can’t give anymore at all.

So, we have to have boundaries, and we have to honor those boundaries.  And at the same time, we need to keep growing.  Like we’re learning here.  And as we grow, we can give, and give and keep giving…and keep being a blessing.

********************************

So… without New Years’ Resolutions, what is the way to “have a better year”, getting “the things you want” in your life?

Here are just a slight few things you might consider.

1.     Decide what result you want. 

a.      Financial? To what extent?  What is it you want to accomplish?  Bills paid up to date? Money for vacation? Exactly what do you want?

b.     Good Health?  Exactly how good?  What do you want to do with that good health?

c.      Relationships? What kind of relationship do you want?  Why?  Maybe you could consider being the type person someone would want in their life.  It’s possible that might help you.

2.     You might check to see if this thing you want in your life could in some way help others?

3.     Make it a priority to add some “fun” for yourself, and some things you truly enjoy doing, that you haven’t been able to do.  This is a challenge for me, but I’m much improved, and I continue to improve here.

4.     Bob Proctor used to say, “What are you willing to exchange” for whatever it is you want?  What sacrifice would you be willing give?  Think about that…

5.     What would you need to change in your habits, to be able to work toward receiving what you want?  If you thought you could have what you want… would you be willing to change your habits?

6.     Make a plan of:

a.      What changes you would be making to get where you want to be

b.     When you will start with your changes

c.      How much work you will do toward making the changes

d.     How you will incorporate that work into your day (every day)

7.     Be Thankful for:

a.      each day we’re given

b.     each small bit of progress we make toward what we want.

c.      The people we’re given.  Hmmm.

8.     Make sure your heart is good with your Maker.  Make sure your sins are forgiven— “big” ones, or everyday ones.

9.     Trust your Higher Power for direction on the path you want.

10. Trust yourself.  Trust your decisions.  Trust your judgment.  Trust your wants.

11. Allow yourself to make adjustments along the way—not specifically to help you “go slower” by lowering your expectations, but to help you go in a better direction, or with a better plan. 

12. And if you do see that you’ve been too aggressive with your plan, give yourself permission to slow your pace a little, and to make it more realistic.

*********************************

Habits are a strong thing.  Hard to change.  But if you have something you really want in your life… something giving you a real reason to change, it boosts your energy for it by more than you can imagine.  It makes the difference.

It’s not really will power that gives us change.  Will power will last for a short time, but will be hard put to actually make changes in your life, long-term.

There are lots of little tips you can use to change your habits, but it’s the reason for the change, that makes the difference.

Atomic Habits by James Clear is an excellent book about changing your habits.  It’s very interesting, in addition to helping you actually change your life.

**********************************

I’ve never been a big fan of New Years Resolutions, possibly because I never kept them, even though my intentions were good.

But I’m a very big supporter of Goals.  All through the year—not just at the beginning.  My goals change constantly.  I think that’s ok.

I have plans for this new year. 

          I want to learn more… so I can have more knowledge to help people be healthier.  I love learning, so this will be easy.  Possibly I could organize my learning and accomplish more; I’ll think toward that.

          I want to “get over the hump” I’ve been stuck on, to get a course online, so I can benefit more people interested in making health changes.  I have a course outlined, and have a timetable I’m reaching for.  This is a priority for me.

          I want to hike more; this will be for my own health and strength, and also to help others by example… that it can be done, and it’s enjoyable.  My plan is at least once a week but walking every day.  Reality is me walking 4-5 times a week, and that’s ok.

          To continue good health, I will be adding some inside exercises to my morning routine.  This will take some habit-changing.  But I want to be strong into a long life so I can have strength and stamina to enjoy summertime activities with my children and grands.  So I can change this habit.

          I enjoy cooking for people, and I’d like to do that more, without being stressed about “time”.  I’m making a plan for this.

          I enjoy our Sunday School class, and I would like to enjoy it with more people.  I’m making a plan for this.

          I have a financial goal, and this takes more in-depth planning.  It will involve specific education and specific tasks, and also a bit of courage. 

And it will take omitting quite a bit of social media time, which will be a big habit change.  But this is an important goal, so that I can continue coaching in the way I have been.  I’m asking for God’s guidance and blessing on this.

*************************************

Every day of our lives is the first day…of the rest of our lives.

Every first day, let’s:

Be Thankful for the day we are blessed with

Be ready to adjust…

Be dedicated to following a path that we’ve chosen, to get to the place we want to be—enjoying our strong, healthy life with ease.

Know, our lives will never be perfect, and

Know, if we ever stop growing, we’ll get dull and stagnant (making room for disease).

So!  Let’s Celebrate:

This is the first day… of the rest of our lives!

And Let’s Decide:

What do we really want, in our lives? 

What do we want our lives to look like?

How do we want to feel?

What do we want to be able to do?

What do we really want, in our lives?

AND THEN… Let’s Make our PLAN!

Thank you for reading! 

I’d be glad to help you with your goals.  Just reach out.

And Enjoy THIS, the first day of the rest of our life!

Sharon