2014 Resolutions
01/01/2014
res-o-lu-tion: (n) a firm decision to do or not to do something.
synonyms: decidedness, intention, deliberate, purposefulness, resolve, commitment
It is a popular tradition of many to make New Years' resolutions at the beginning of each year. Knowing myself, I have never been one to seriously make any resolutions that I intended to keep. This New Years' was no different until I read an article about not making a resolution but to resolve. The writer made some good points and I thought about it for a little while and then before I knew it several ideas came to mind and I had resolved to make resolutions. Throughout the day more and more ideas came to mind. It was pretty overwhelming actually.
So I decided to split my resolutions up. While I was thinking I realized that my ideas could be in two different categories. Some are lifestyle changes and can last a whole year. I mean, that's kind of what New Years' resolutions are, right? They are for you to make a difference in the coming year that you saw you needed from the past year? At least that's how I view it. Some of the other ideas that I had are tasks that I want to get done and I have decided that I want to set monthly goals as well. I believe these ideas and goals will work better by setting them monthly.
That being said...my resolutions for 2014:
No. 1 - Pray more deliberately.
de-li-ber-ate: done consciously and intentionally; fully considered, not impulsive; done or acting in a careful & unhurried way.
synonyms: intentional, intended, studied, knowing, purposive, careful, measured, even, steady
To pray deliberately has a such a beautiful meaning. I mean first of all, I can't help but notice I think of the synonyms they are representative of God's love for me! His love is a deliberate love and I am called to the same for Him and for everyone I see and even don't see. I feel this is the perfect way to describe how I should pray. My prayers are too quick, easy, and rushed. Prayer is what God gave us to communicate to him and not just say a jumble of words. I forget this too easily. Just know: family, friend, acquaintance, stranger, I will be praying for you!
No. 2 - No cokes...except maybe a special occasion. This is pretty self-explanatory.
No. 3 - Exercise 3 days a week.
ex-er-cise: (v) engage in physical activity to sustain or improve health and fitness; exert(part of the body) to promote or improve muscular strength.
I feel like cokes can be included under this because the main reason for more exercise is to be more healthy and that includes my every day diet. I plan to exercise at least 3 days a week. I want to feel and be healthier.
No. 4 - Blog at least once a week. I love to read blogs. I feel like I know these women on a personal level although I have never met them. Their blogs are beautiful and they inspire me. I hope to do the same. You know, they say imitation is the biggest form of flattery!
No. 5 - I plan to work on my house. I've always heard that remodeling is a neverending project and I'm beginning to experience the trueness of this for myself. So, I shall develop a plan for improving our house and then break this down into months.
No. 6 - This one is for my husband: quit leaving things in the window sills!
No. 7 - Dry herbs for usage. I have to include something involving my herbs for this list! I love to grow my herbs and I have even cooked a little bitty bit with them while they are fresh. I want to dry them because there are so many uses of dried herbs!
No. 8 - Make beautifully designed words with calligraphy. I got a calligraphy beginner set for Christmas and am so in love! Maybe I can even take a course in person or online.
No. 9 - Write more. I love to write. I used to write pretty much all the time in high school and then in college I wrote many letters to my then-boyfriend, now-husband.
These are my resolutions for the year. I used the word deliberate in my first resolution and I feel like that is a good word to apply to all of my resolutions. Don't you think so?