What Do You Want?

Taking the month of December “off” was such a good thing. I was able to focus on things that I had been neglecting, and gain clarity on things I had been struggling with. I relaxed and enjoyed plentiful time with my family both near and far. I was present, and calm, and it was just plain wonderful. And now begins the journey of 2017!

I love the New Year. It is actually my favorite holiday. Not because of wild New Years Eve parties, though. Last year I didn’t even stay awake to midnight. No, I love New Years because of the promise of hope. I love being able to look out at the year and imagine good things. I imagine the year filled with excitement, and peace, and challenges. I don’t want an easy year. I want a year that will leave me being a better person than when I began it.

I may write down some goals, but I don’t let them control me. I don’t get upset if they are not achieved, or make myself miserable trying to accomplish them. I see goals like I see life. They are taking me on a journey. Some years are more difficult than others never knowing what obstacle is going to pop up next, and other years are slow and tedious and mundane. This is why we need to be flexible when setting goals. Having goals simply helps me to be intentional in knowing what is worth pursuing.

My Goals…

Spiritual I’m not going to tell you that I need to spend more time reading my Bible, or go to church more consistently. I have no time for “Sunday School” answers. These are great things of course, but what matters is my heart. Do I desire to know Jesus more? Or am I fine going along and doing my own thing. Do I long for His peace? Or do tend to worry and try to solve problems myself. My goal is to focus on him more and stop focusing on the messes in my life. Yes, he knows about my mess, and yes he cares. In times of chaos, it may be that all I can do is curl up in a ball and let him hold me. I will aim to be still, and let him comfort me. In my stillness, I will focus on his strength, not my weakness.

Health Healthy to me means being able to be active and do the things I enjoy doing. Healthy is not a number! I want to have energy, and not have aches and pains. Being healthy includes both exercise and nutrition. There is no simple, quick solution to being in optimal health. This may mean adding some things, and eliminating others. And it may require some trial and error, but that’s alright as long as I’m making progress.

Social I know this may sound silly, but one of my goals this year is to be better about acknowledging birthdays. See, I have this issue with my birthday. I’m afraid that it won’t be remembered or acknowledged. So, in order to “protect” myself I don’t acknowledge birthdays of other people. That way I have no reason to be upset. Twisted, right? The deeper goal here is to make myself more vulnerable.

Business I have big dreams and a vision for what I want to see happen with Oh Lord Help Us. This goal I have to hold with open hands. I will be sharing more about this in the upcoming weeks.