Resolutions

Resolution: a firm decision to do or not do something.

Why are these so hard to keep?

I'll tell you why, because our perceptions of resolutions have nothing to do with firm decisions and everything to do with wishes. When we resolve to quit smoking or eating or whatever on New Year's Day, what we are really saying is, "I really hope I can stop doing that this year". It's all a big lie we tell ourselves so that we don't feel bad about all of our failed resolutions from last year!

All right, rant over. I appologize.

This year I am setting goals for myself. Goal: the destination of a journey. That's more like it. No more broken promises, or feeling guilty because I ate a half a pizza (my husband ate the other half, why doesn't he feel guilty?) Goals are good. I am a "goal oriented person", meaning, that once I decide on a journey, I'm pretty good at making it happen. I make lists, I love lists, and then complete them. So, I will approach 2009 like a good list of goals.

#1. get pregnant! I know, it's shocking, but I think we're going to be ready to maybe have a baby in 2010, but I need a summer baby, so I want to try to get pregnant in the fall of '09. I know I'm over planning, but that's what I do, it's who I am.

In order to accomplish #1 though, I need to do some things first, so let's make it #5.

#1 (for reals) lose 30 pounds-hopefully. That's about how much you gain during pregnancy, right? I think it might be a realistic number. I'm starting a food journal, then meeting with this really awesome lady in our church who is a nutrition guru, and we're going to look at what I eat, how often I eat, why I eat (that one's gonna suck) to see what we can improve upon gradually. I'm very excited about it.

#2 pay off serious debt. I like this one. We moved in with my parents and sold our very expensive little car, so we're on our way. I can't put a date on this, but I want to be debt free asap. #5 might have to be delayed because of this, not sure yet. Of course people say that if you wait to have a baby until everything is perfect, you'll never have one, but I know a couple who planned it out perfectly. They waited 8 years, finished school, bought the house and car, took the vacation to Europe, then had the baby. They are my heroes (you know who you are (Jen & John))

#3 .....um...actually, I think we're gonna move #5 here, because that's all I can think of that I really want to accomplish this year.

Don't get me wrong, there a dozens of things I want to do; sponsor more World Vision children, have a successful worship conference for my church, have Selah's cd finally come out. But those aren't list-worthy things. Those are just things that will happen whether I put them on a list or not.

So, some weight loss, less debt and almost baby. I think that's enough for one year.

Now, I know that you might have been expecting some super spiritual "resolutions" from me, like, reading my Bible more, praying more, memorizing scripture more. But the truth is, we should be doing those, I should be doing those things every day. Those are daily goals I always want to accomplish. Sometimes I suck at it. But I am trying.

Anyways, feel free to list your goals for 2009 in a comment. I would love to see what you all are planning for next year. All 9 of you!!!

amy