How are those New Years resolutions Going? I kept mine for exactly three and a half days. I had resolved to go for a half hour walk every day and the first three days were sunny and nice so I walked even more than that, but the first day was cold and windy, and I was busy, so I only walked for fifteen minutes. Somehow that messed up the routine and I haven't been out walking since. That's the best thing about resolutions - once you've broken tham once, you feel you might as well give up entirely. Maybe I wanted an excuse to give up, like a dieter who eats one cookie and decides the diet is blown so - hey - why not just eat the whole box?
After failing at my resolution, I read some advise in a church magazine. (It came in December, but I just got around to reading it today. Maybe I should have made a resolution to read my mailin a more timely manner). It suggested:
Make only a few resolutions.
word them in a positive way (Not "I will not eat sweets," but "I will eat sweets" oops, I mean, "I will eat healthy foods.")
Write each resolution down and post it somewhere you will see it. (But where could I put it? My desk is too cluttered and my refrigerator threatens to tip over because of all the magnets already on it.)
Don't beat yourself up when you fail. (Yes,we all will inevitably fail, blame it on original sin). Just start fresh the next day.
It takes three weeks to form a habit, so keep up the new behavior for that long before deciding it's hopeless. (I guess three and a half days wasn't a fair trial).
Be realistic. (Not, "I will bring about world peace" but, "I will be friendly to the paperboy who throws my paper in the bushes.")
I don't know about you, but I am ready to try again. After all, it's still January. The last suggestion was to include your resolutions in a spiritual perspective. maybe this is the most important - the one that offers the power we need for growth and renewal. My new resolution is to go for a walk most day so I can connect with God through the world God made.
Why not join me in the "Second Time Around New Year's Resolution Club." Give it another try. we start in February (So you only have to keep your resolution for eleven months.) I'll let you know how I'm doing. Good luck, and may God's blessings abound for you this month and always
Your pastor,
Jean L. Marsh