A Different Approach to the New Year…

How many of us made New Years Resolutions this year? How many of us made a list? How is that working out for you?

So a guy tells his wife between Thanksgiving and Christmas that after all the office parties and family get togethers are over and the baked goods are consumed that he plans to lose a few pounds and get in shape after the first of the year. So his wife, not knowing what exactly to get him for Christmas decides to go down to the local gym and get her husband a gym membership. She sat down with one of the Fitness Trainers and he gave her a couple options. He first offered her a lifetime membership that never expired and that was good throughout the country. She responded by saying that the membership fee and dues were a little too expensive and more than she wanted to spend. He then offered her the standard one-year plan. She said that her husband has a hard time with commitments and then asked… Do you have like a three day pass?

Our resolutions typically have to do with making an improvement in our lives. The problem is most of us have difficulty following through with our resolutions and accomplishing our goals for a whole host of reasons. These excuses include a lack of time, a change in priorities or we just lose interest. I personally tend to avoid those tasks that I find unpleasant or that have a high degree of failure. As a result, we often end up feeling frustrated or defeated.

Recently there was a report that on average most people fail or give up on their resolutions by the ninth of January, how are you doing now that it’s January 11th? That said, I generally do not make resolutions, but I made a list anyway. My list was ambitious and was comprised of faith and family priorities along with various household tasks and projects. I then reviewed the list and said… I can’t do this. I refuse to have this list potentially dictate my life for the next twelve months.

I thought about the detailed list that I had compiled and then decided to take a different approach. What if I were to reduce the distractions in my life and listen. Discern and focus on God’s will.

I concluded that if we were to listen to the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we just may find happiness and fulfillment… and in the process accomplish most of what is truly important in our lives and on our lists.

May God’s blessings be abundant.