“Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day
with no mistakes in it yet?”
Some people don't like the idea of resolutions, but I have always enjoyed them! Even if it is just a fleeting motivation, some effort toward self improvement is better than none at all. I thought I would share mine with you guys!
In 2015, I am resolved to be intentional.
My plan is both simple and encompassing. I want to be mindful. I want to stop doing things out of fear, laziness, or habit, and instead make conscious choices that will better my life as a whole.
In Parenting...
I want to consider my relationship with my child. How do I want her to feel about me? Remember me? Talk about me? What do I want her to learn from me? If she mirrored my behavior, would I be proud?
I want her to see me as human. I want to be patient, kind, understanding and forgiving. I want to apologize when I'm wrong and when I fail. I want her to learn to love herself, inside and out, for all her imperfections. I want to spend time with my daughter each day, not just in her presence, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook. I want her to see in me a woman who loves her Lord and loves herself and others, because God has made them lovely.
In Spending...
In my time and money, I want to have clear priorities. There is a limited amount of each, and I don't want to be wasteful or impulsive. That's not to say there can't be treats or time to relax, but I want to choose them purposefully. Will this half hour of TV make me richer for the experience, or have I already seen this episode of "Say Yes to the Dress" 10 times? Will this new sweater really improve my life, or do I already have 4 ivory cardigans? Is there a better choice for this scarce resource? I want to be thrifty, not penny-pinching, and wisely invest that which I've been given.
In Caring for My Body...
Nutrition and exercise are a constant struggle for me, so I want to be specifically mindful of my choices here. Am I really hungry, or am I just thirsty, or maybe even just bored? Am I really too tired/busy/sore to work out or am I just making excuses? I want to make food and exercise choices that will move me toward my goals, not away from them. I want to eat smart portions of food, skip junky options in favor of healthy ones. I want to strengthen my body and use it for all the amazing things it can do. I want to cook healthy meals for my family. I want to take my vitamins, drink enough water, and eat more fruits and veggies.In My Speech...
When things go wrong, I don't want to explode with nasty words. I don't want to be that girl. I hope to be mindful in my reactions, thoughtful of others' feelings. This applies hugely in parenting but also in all my other relationships. I saw this amazing post from The Hands Free Mama and it really spoke to me. I want to say things that are healing, not harmful. I want to find positive ways to express myself, and I want to practice not saying things that would do more bad than good.
In My Marriage...
I love my husband more than words can say but let me be honest... marriage is hard! It is so difficult finding time to connect between work, keeping up the house, masters classes, evening and weekend events, travel, the list goes on. I want to talk to my husband, like really talk, about something other than "when was the last time her diaper was changed" and "hey babe could you take out the trash?". I want to laugh together! I want to dedicate time together without phones or TV to just date, just be together, just enjoy being in love.So that is my year! Taking care, being thoughtful, doing things on purpose. Being intentional. Wish me luck :)
What do you want to accomplish in 2015? Do you make resolutions, and if you do, what did you resolve for this year?
A very noble and honest set of goals. I think those things happen moment by moment, you know- being aware and objective enough about yourself to recognize the moments we are more tempted to be less than we can be. Xoxo
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