Resolved: Firmly determined to do something.
Firmly determined, a firm decision.
I think most people (including me in the past) consider New Years resolutions to be good desires rather than firm decisions, which explains why most resolutions quickly fade out. So I'm changing my mindset for this year, and making some firm decisions! :)
On this 31st day of December, 2015, I resolve to do the following in 2016:
1. Read through the entire New Testament, one book at a time, seven times each (starting with the shortest and working to the longest). I'm taking the advice in this post because I want to be more deeply transformed by God's Word!
2. Believe God's promise to care for me, and rest in His grace and peace! (Psalm 106:24 says, "The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn't believe His promise to care for them." So simple and profound. I've been thinking about that a lot the last half of this month - that's true of me any time I let worry or anxiety steal my peace - so I'm resolving to acknowledge God's faithful goodness and "enter the pleasant land" by resting in Him this year!)
3. Stick with the Weight Watchers program all year, tracking my food and going to meetings/weigh-ins each week! Work out at least 180 minutes per week (45 minutes four days a week, 60 minutes three days a week, or 30 minutes six days a week).
4. Cook 25 new recipes and blog about them (20 dinners, 5 desserts, mostly healthy foods)!
5. No gossip or slander (of current or former friends) - speak truth in love and don't speak or write negatively about anyone behind their back. (This one shouldn't be difficult, but it probably will. I'd been thinking about it already, then this post was really convicting, so I want to take this far more seriously because it's important to God and to having quality relationships with mutual trust!)
6. Look for the beauty and beautiful moments in daily life, and write down at least one each day (I'm keeping a desk calendar book as a journal through this coming year).
7. Read one new book per month and blog my favorite quotes/lessons from them!
"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~Carl Bard
I'm printing this list out on Monday, and I'm firmly determined to follow through with it. Anything else I accomplish will just be icing on the cake! =)
* God may give me an additional focus word along the way, but right now, my "word" for 2016 is BEAUTY. My heart's desire is to appreciate the beauty of God and His creation & all the beautiful moments in daily life, as well as developing and embracing "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" through this coming year. Matt Chandler spoke of God's Word as a refining fire that gradually burns away everything impure and leaves only the pure gold of God's image inside us. I love that, and I want to continue walking with Him and being transformed into His beautiful image!!
And that's it. That's everything!
Happy New Year, friends!! =)
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