I've never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions because I always end up failing miserably (in my own opinion). When I've made a list, it always consists of the regular goals. You know: prayer & scripture study (personal, family, spouse), weekly FHE, exercise, becoming more organized, creating a perfect family atmosphere (no yelling, staying calm, etc.) What generally ends up happening is that I begin to feel like a failure, not good for my self perception (something I've always struggled with) I'm a perfectionist & not very good at it. I really hate to not do great at things and let others or myself down (in my view). As I've grown older and matured some (I still feel like that awkward teen looking for acceptance more often than not) I'm beginning to realize that although perfection may be a goal, it limits me in enjoying my life.
I am not a naturally organized person (just ask my mom what my room looked like as a child/teen) and it takes an aweful lot of effort to keep as (dis)organized as I am now. Clearing out clutter that has accumulated in our home brings me satisfaction, but I'll never be one of those who has "a place for everything & everything in its place" (much to Norm's shagrin) and I'm ok with that. So, my organization goal for this year is to go through every room at least once during the year and declutter. It shouldn't be too bad since I've already gotten started.
We've always struggled as a family with daily scripture study. Over the last month we've instituted a read one chapter a night after dinner and it seems to be working well for us. I found out that at the churchwide youth program last night that the youth were challenged to read from their scriptures for just 5 minutes a day. I have decided to take on that challenge myself as well. I will be able to find 5 minutes in my busy schedule for individual scripture study.
Lastly, I made a goal when I started grad school to exercise regularly during the semester and made the commitment to fulfill it. I figured that since I had begun to enjoy running that I'd make it my goal to be able to run the 3 mile loop around my neighborhood by the end of the year. Thanks to my running buddies I've met this goal and feel good enough about my running skills to sign up for my second half-marathon (I completed my first in 2004). I'll be running it at the end of March. My goal it to end the year feeling healthier (and to run the 8 mile Saguaro Nat'l Park Labor Day run). I'd also be happy with carrying around ten less pounds as well.
So, my main point to all this is that making resolutions/goals isn't a bad thing. I've just learned that I need to make sure that mine are realistic for me.
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3 comments:
Way to go! It's easy to make a list of everything that you need to do and then not get anything done. I think the three you've focused on are very manageable. As for the organization one, you'd better have the kids help you, especially when going through their rooms! And way to go on planning your second half-marathon...I'm finally realizing that I need to figure out some exercises to do since Thanksgiving and Christmas both came after I fell...not helping my tummy :)
Those sound like good and reasonable goals. Reading your blog sometimes seems like reading my mind!
hey you way ahead of me. i seriously don't think i have ever once made new years resolutions, and this year is no exception (well except at church when we have the new years resolution lesson and then i really don't make them when they tell me to) you'll have to keep me motivated on the half marathon cause james and i have been talking about doing on in april but it freaks me out to think about running that far!
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