A new day of a new year. A time when people want a fresh start. To try something new or do something better. We call them Resolutions. And they last for approximately 2.5 days. Not a great percentage out of 365 day year…
So I am going to try and trick myself this year. No resolutions. Just Ideas. They sound less scary and a little more fun that way. I have lots of Ideas. I’m hoping that a few of them become habits. Because I think they are actually good Ideas. Ideas that will stretch me a little. Grow me a little. Not to become better for myself, but to become better for others.
Here’s what I mean. A lot of times we make resolutions that are ultimately selfish or self-centered. All about “me”. But what if our goals, our Ideas, made us not just better for the sake of ourselves, but for the glory of God and for the benefit of others? Would we be more motivated to change if the results are bigger than just our own satisfaction?
Don’t get me wrong…I will still have goals that are mostly for my own benefit, like my workout routine or getting my business license, pursuing publishing, etc. Things that I think are necessary and good. But my Ideas will hopefully bring joy to others and a smile to Jesus’ face.
Here are a few of my Ideas….
1. Cooking more dinners, trying new recipes (benefits my family). If left to myself, I could survive on soup and salad the rest of my life… 🙂 And then sending those new recipes to my girls via email. (maybe I’ll even post a few here for others to try!)
2. Sending more emails or notes to friends and extended family. Strangely enough, though I love to write, I am horrible about correspondence.
3. Using my new calendar (wonders never cease!) to help me remember other people’s significant dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, special events, etc.
There are many more Ideas running around in my head, but if I have three solid ones, it is actually doable. They say that if you do something for three weeks it becomes a habit. Let’s test that statement…
I will try and use my blog as a place of accountability as to how I am doing with this. If even one of these Ideas sticks, then I think that can be considered progress 🙂
If you have any Ideas you are trying out this year, let me know. I’d love to be one of your cheerleaders to help you turn that Idea into a new reality!
