No Resolutions for 2015!

 

2015 New Year

 

2015. A new year. A fresh start. A clean slate.

All of that sounds good. And it is good.
But, sometimes, I get stuck on striving to make it all just right. Perfect, in fact.
This tends to make me so paralyzed that I just stop and end up not doing anything.
Not planning. Not starting.
Just being STUCK!

This is certainly not how I want to start the new year.
So, I am taking a different path this year.
The following is a list of things I will be focused on in 2015.
They are not hard and fast resolutions. Those make me stressed and stuck.
They don’t have deadlines. So, there is no pressure.
The focus is not on negatives. After all, I need and thrive on positives.

So here are the things I intend to do in 2015:

  1. Celebrate! When I have successes, I will take the time to celebrate. I will recognize that any small accomplishment moves me forward in my life.
  2. Prioritize. Make the important things the first things I do each day. Say ‘Yes’ to the things I truly value.
  3. Focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is really a myth. We can only truly focus on one thing in any given moment. I will strive to honor this.
  4. Be present in each moment with the people I am with. Show them they are important to me.
  5. Limit social media. My real life is calling! Placing limits on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will help me focus on the important.
  6. Allow down time. I need time for relaxation and renewal. This is not pampering, it is necessary.
  7. Do things that bring me joy! Plan to spend more time focused on things that make me smile and add value to my life.
  8. Accept God’s grace and mercy. This will keep me from being too hard on myself and allow me to give others grace, too.
  9. Be grateful. Strive to make a habit of giving thanks for the blessings I have everyday.
  10. Put God first. Always.
What are your intentions for the new year?

2014 – A Fresh Beginning

New Year Book QuoteA brand new year has begun.
A fresh beginning.

There are many ways to begin. Movements such as “One Word,” “One Scripture, “Infusion Words,” and goal setting are all over the internet. Which ones will help us be all we can in 2014? How to pick the right one for you?

I can’t answer that for you, however, I do know one thing is true: words are powerful. Words bring grace into our lives. Words can also bring sorrow. Words bring us joy.

With words we make promises, we make deals, we seal marriages and say goodbye to loved ones. Using words we create friendships and enemies. Words are meaningful. They are not just ink on a page or wasted breath. Words affect us.

So whatever method you choose – just begin. There is no right way. Choose what connects you to what you want in 2014. Choose what makes you come alive. Prayerfully give it consideration and then begin.

I have chosen to do several methods because that’s what works for me. I am beginning this new year with:

My One Word = Praise

My 2014 Scripture Focus = Habakkuk 3:18 MSG

I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.”

I haven’t created all my goals yet for the year, but each one will be prayed over and connected to my focus for the year – Praise! I want to make sure that God is at the center of everything I do. Praising Him is a great way to begin!

Resources:
#2014verse
http://myoneword.org/
The Book: My One Word

Noah’s Ark

Colorful Birds

Colorful Birds

 

Noah’s Ark — Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah’s Ark.

  I received this in my inbox today and thought it was so delightful that I would pass it on. I don’t know whom to credit as the author, but these are wise words of wisdom we could all use.

  1. Don’t miss the boat.
  2. Remember that we are all in the same boat!
  3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
  4. Stay fit. When you’re 60 years old, someone may
    ask you to do something really big.
  5. Don’t listen to critics;
    just get on with the job that needs to be done.
  6. Build your future on high ground.
  7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
  8. Speed isn’t always an advantage.
    The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
  9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.
  10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs;
    the Titanic by professionals.
  11. No matter the storm, when you are with God,
    there’s always a rainbow waiting.

Haitian Journey

I just returned from spending a week in Mole Saint Nicholas, Haiti with the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. It was a good trip. A journey into another culture. The above photo is a gate I discovered in Haiti. I am attracted to gates, doors, windows, etc. They speak to me of beginnings, journeys, and opportunities.

This trip was an opportunity for me to learn, grow, and contribute. In the next few posts, I hope to share with you images and lessons I learned on my journey into the land of Haiti – it’s culture and it’s people.