Happy New Year all! A time where everyone evaluates what the last year has been like and what they are going to change for this one. I am not sure why we always wait until Jan 1st to start changing things, maybe because it is a good mark on the calendar. The point is, it is a time for change, to start new and fresh and do it better in the new year then we did in the last.
I think the mistake we make is that often times we have such high hopes for what we will get accomplished in the new year that we don't make them attainable. Like making a goal to run a marathon when you have never run a day in your life. I am not saying that it would not be possible to run a marathon in the new year, if you start training right away and stick with it, you could totally do it but it is a huge goal. Having large goals are important but it is also important to have small goals. Small goals that might lead to your large goal. To stick with our marathon example, maybe you make smaller goals to run a 5k in the spring and a 10k in the fall and then in 2016 you can run a full marathon.
Our relationship with God is like running a marathon. It is a long term goal. Yes we should all have the best possible relationship with God. We should fully rely on him for our every decision, our every move, through the good and the bad...but the reality, at least for me, is that I often fail at this. I forget that he will guide me through it all, and I start thinking that I am smarter then God and that I really know that is good for me. Now, I don't full out have that kind of conversation with God but when I act selfishly, which I do often, it is like saying those things. And then I must remind myself of the truth. So for a goal of the New Year, I want to better my relationship with God. Become more dedicated to that relationship. I have a goal of seeing and connecting with friends that I don't see that often, to which at least once a month, I will hang out with someone that I have not seen for awhile. I have a group of old work friends that we always talk about getting together and never do. I have a friend that is living in Denver that I haven't seen in over 6 months, and I don't talk to her as much as I should to be the good friend that I like to think that I am. I will continue to reach out to these friends, because being a better friend to them and others, makes me a better disciple of God. Because being truthful, honest and loving to them, means that I am being truthful, honest and loving to God. Just a small goal, to get me to the larger goal of having a better relationship with God and being a better disciple of his on the ground.
Just something to think about. How are you going to make yourself better in 2015?
Keep leaving your input, get others involved and share. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time,
~Michelle
I think you brought up a good point about goals and how sometimes our goals are too big or unattainable for the time frame. I think this is a big problem for me because I stretch myself to thin and create too many goals or too big of goals. This year I hope to decrease my negativity and think more optimistically about things. I also want to work on my level of patience and not getting frustrated as quickly. I also need to work on loving myself more. I think that if I was confident in myself and loved myself I would be able to love others and God more.
ReplyDeleteDayna,
DeleteI really appreciate that you have taken these challenges on and I appreciate your openness and your honesty. Remember small steps will lead you to where you want to go. Slow and steady wins the race.