I’m ringing in the NEW YEAR today by eating great food and watching some good football by the fire! Saying goodbye to 2011 isn’t so hard. I’m actually looking forward to what the upcoming year has in store for me.
Aren’t you?
I’ve been blessed this last year and I’m not ashamed to say it. 😉 My family has grown and changed in many ways. It’s been a blessing to hang on just a little longer to two of my babies while they commute to college nearby. Both of them will move on this year in the fall and I’ll be on a whole new level of “empty nest” crazy. It’s part of life, right?
Hubby and I spent NYE with our friends from small group. We went out for dinner at Olive Garden and then went back to their house for some fun. Just before we kissed 2011 goodbye, we played a little reflection game. Each of us picked a question out of a basket and had to share about moments/accomplishments/letdowns of the last year. It was a great THINKING game that forced each of us to really ponder how we lived our year.
Why do we waste precious time?
This next year, I hope to make some great improvements in who I am as a Child of God, a wife/mother and friend. I want to live more purposefully and I want to make each moment count for something good. I want to touch the people God puts in my path for the better. I want to please Christ with my words, my actions and my heart.
I’ve come up with some questions for myself and for you to manage the upcoming year. While I answer each very generally…I want you to know that I’m taking each one very seriously. I hope to be the best me this year.
–Have I made peace with my past?
This is important to me because as I’ve learned in a big way this year….life is fleeting and gone in an instant.
–Am I living my life to the best of my potential?
I want to stop dreaming of trying big things and just do them! I’m not happy spinning my wheels, are you?
–Am I doing things I love?
It’s a real bummer to be stuck in the same old routine. I’m planning to do fun stuff while I still can. I’m not getting any younger.
–Am I spending time with those that are most important to me?Who wants to regret moments missed? Not me. I hope to invest more carefully in time with those I love.
–Am I content with my job/finances/family dynamic/potential?I know the answer to this already. Yes and no! I want to kick it up a notch in each aspect.
–Am I satisfied with my current health?
Nope! I’m committed to better habits; foods, exercise and rest!
–Am I giving enough?
There’s real truth in “It’s better to give than to recieve”! I’m thankful to have the means to be generous and I’m proud to have giving children. Even when they get skipped….they never complain, they still want to bless other’s.
–How am I going to hold myself accountable?
I want to stick with my plan to succeed and I know if I don’t share it with someone else, I might get weak and give up. I plan to tell my family & friends to remind me when I fall apart.
–What is my mission?
I hope to share the gospel with someone new each month this year. How better to impact the world than to introduce someone to Jesus? I’m so thankful someone did that for me (so long ago).
–How will I point other’s to Him?
God has given me so many opportunities to love on people. The best thing I can do is keep doing it. I pray for my words & actions to help not hurt those God places in my path.
This is a good starting point. Each of us have obligations and dreams for the new year. With God’s help both can be the best they’ve ever been.
Are you ready?
HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!
