Have you noticed how hard it is to keep New Year’s resolutions? Why is that? Psychologists have thought maybe it is because people are all caught up in the excitement of starting over. They want to change their bad habits into good ones, symbolic of the turning of the year; New Beginnings.
Everyone knows that if you keep doing the same thing over and over, you will always have the same results. Time for change, this time, THIS time, I will do (whatever) different.
That ideology makes sense to me so, in light of my—enlightenment– I have determined that what I resolve to do, will be done. This year, I plan to lose weight, save more money and spend more time with Jesus. To achieve my New Year’s goals of losing weight and building my savings account; I will exercise more and eat less, I will save more and spend less. (rolling my eyeballs) Both plans look so easy on paper.
Since I’m in control of my thoughts and my actions; I’m the only one that can decide what is changed and then discipline myself so that change happens. Just like planning a time to go to the gym or planning to save money; to achieve my third goal, I must plan time for Jesus.
Now, that I acknowledge the goals and have made the plans, on to the hard part. The final step of my New Year’s resolutions is to carry out the plan. When my life is so busy, without the discipline to do the plan; nothing will change. If nothing changes, I’ll be right here, next year, setting the same goals–again. (siiiigh)
Recognizing the need for change is step one. Making a realistic plan to accomplish that change is step two. Now, the most difficult of all; step three, the discipline of DOING it. I will set a time to exercise daily, make sensible food choices and arrange to set cash aside in a savings account every pay day. As I actively plan more time for the things of God; I set a time, “this hour of the day,” so my plan is carried out.
To serve God is not troublesome; like my other goals, it is simply a matter of planning and then, the follow through of doing. I’ve noticed that I’m more likely to do the things that are really important to me; an attitude adjustment may be in order.
This year, as the New Year begins, I’m going to not only plan but do whatever re-arranging is necessary, to keep my New Year’s resolutions. Looks good on paper, feels good to my heart as I read what I just wrote. Carrying out my plan in the business of everyday life—will take discipline. Lose weight. Save money. Spend time with God. I have the plan. I have the goal. Not starting tomorrow, starting—now.
John 3:30 He must increase but I must decrease.
Prayer: Father God, help me to cultivate the fruit of self-control. Show me ways that I can discipline my lifestyle to reflect your presence in my life. I love you and want to serve you in every area of my life. Amen.