Each year we all set out with grand gestures to make a
change in our lives. For many it is to
loose weight while others decide to give up a cherished item (I’ve given up Dr.
Pepper many times). I, like many, come
fast out of the gate- ready to accomplish the goal. But, I always fade. Come March I have completely given up and all
but have forgotten my lofty goals. At
some point, I just stopped making resolutions completely. Why set a goal only to know that I will
disappoint myself in the near future? However,
who doesn’t need a goal? Goals push us to do more, be more. Maybe I should start with resolving to follow
through with goals??
In my extensive blog “research” (maybe slimming down my blog
list is a good beginning resolution?) I came across something that immediately
caught my eye. Something that made me
think, hey, I can actually DO that. A
lot of people have ditched the traditional list of goals to accomplish within the
year and instead have chosen a word. One
word that will guide you during the year. One word to focus on each day to help
accomplish more within the year.
So maybe I am starting this a week late, but hey, who says
there is anything wrong with that? I wanted to take my time to pick the right word. Not just something that I picked out of thin
air, but something that is meaningful to me right now. Something that will inspire me. I read of other peoples’ words; there are
some really great ones out there: Do, Up, Delight, Story, Share, Confidence,
Abide, Nourish, Breathe. One word I
found caught my attention immediately: BE with a great subtitle (I am kicking
myself for not saving the link- “Be
happy with who I am, be involved in life, be kind to others, and be open to
change!” I am not sure what this person meant by those things but they
definitely spoke to me in a special way.
I kept thinking about the word BE and all the meanings it
could hold. I thought it might help to
chose a word if I think about the goals I would like to accomplish, things I
would like to change, things I know I NEED to change.
Here is what I thought of:
1. 1. Be happy with who I am, although now I want to
add- and what I have- a daily struggle for me.
It is easy to look at other people and other things and to want. However, I have noticed in my 25 years that wanting almost always leaves you unhappy. Becoming at peace with
who I am, what I am, and all of the things I have to be grateful for will
result in a more positive, happier, and satisfied me.
2. 2. Be kind to others. No, I’m not mean, at least I try not to be,
but that isn’t what I am getting at here.
Be kind to others and share with others- give to charities (not just
monetarily, but by doing, by “being”).
This is always something I want to do, but for some reason it is always
hard for me to put into action. I’ve
decided I have had enough excuses. It is now time to do.
3. 3. Be involved in life. Picture this: a great day for me is to wake
up, go to work, come home, lay on the couch watching tv/reading blogs, eat
dinner, go to bed. This is fine some
days, but the more I did it, the more I realized that I was missing out on
life. Letting it pass me by, missing
opportunities and spending less time with people. People that I enjoy. At the same time the house quickly became a
mess and I got overwhelmed with cleaning up and cooking and doing all the
things that life should entail. I must
give up naps (at least the 3 hour every afternoon kind) and do more. Do more
with my husband, do more with friends, and do more with life.
4. 4. Be open to change. I make plans, plans don’t go as planned, I
get frustrated. Typical cycle. Sometimes my plans need to go out the window.
When that happens, great things will happen. I am sure of it. I need to remember that great things will happen in 2012. Maybe not on my
schedule, maybe not how I envision, but I am sure that God has plans for
me. I need to be open to see these plans
and follow his desires so that I can reach them. Change is hard and things not being on my
schedule is hard. But that is life. It’s hard.
Whew. Sorry for
that. I get wordy. But that is my resolution for 2012. To BE.
I am thinking of ways to incorporate BE into my daily routine so that I
will have constant reminders to help me to live my goal. That should be fun- time to get creative! Here
is one reminder that I created to hang on my wall in the bedroom.
So what are y'all doing? Will you choose a word for 2012 or do you set goals to reach? All though I am choosing a word, I did make a small list (that goes along with word BE) that I will be back to share soon!
