It happens every year. I resolve to do this or that thing – more or less or better or not at all. In addition to those resolves, I always think there’s something unique or particularly inspiring about the New Year. New Year. New calendar. New date book. New pages for the notebook — yes, as antiquated as it is and it remains, my palm pilot, my blackberry, my iphone, my lapbook, etc., etc is, simply: a spiral bound notebook of lined paper in which I write notes, message, recipes, web addresses, grocery lists, quotes, Scripture verses. And doodles.
Another thing coincidentally happens. I sort of secretly resolve to not resolve to do anything new/better/different/again. Well, except to lose weight, read through my Bible, spend more time in prayer, spend more time with my family, exercise, read more, write a book, blog more regularly…
It’s like I attempt to trick myself into complying with new (actually, old – but recycled) resolutions. I do this by saying I’m not going to make any *written* resolutions. I say: I’m just going to do a few things better.
Two days into the New Year’s Resolutions new year I’ve already had some recalibrating (I got that one from President Obama). I’m recalibrating several things. My time schedule, bedtime schedule, weightloss, exercise routines and Bible reading. My-o-my is it ever easy to set lofty goals on December 30th. You know, when the resolve to not eat any more Christmas goodies is strongly in place — you know, bcz you’re sort of full & tired of them — that, and the New Year looks far off!! And doable.
It’s easy to sort of smugly think you’ll do so much better with the new year on the horizon — that, and a new decade, too!
So, if you’ve already had to readjust or recalibrate the expectations/resolves you put on your self or things you wrote down on a scrap of paper. Know that you’re not alone. Studies show that something like 10-12% of “resolvers” ever keep those resolutions anyway. That’s not saying that you shouldn’t strive for bettering yourself or that you shouldn’t regroup and get back up and keep on keeping on… it just means that you’re not alone. There are a bunch of other people who’re commiserating with you on this one.
So, my solution? My advice to you (and to myself)? What does the LORD require of thee? Ask Him… He is ready to answer you. His Word says that He has shown you what is good and what He requires of you (Micah 6.8):
“…But to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.”
May He richly bless you, keep you, direct you and joy over you with singing in this new year!
with love, pamela