REsolution

Well, it's been a while! I hope you are all doing well. Christmas and New Years brought excitement, rest, goodies, loved ones, and enough food to keep me occupied through the spring...haha, thank goodness for holidays, right?

Last year's end was definitely different for me. Tragedy dealt my family a pretty hard hand in the fall, and to be honest, I struggled with my holiday spirit. It seems like everyone has gladly said good riddance to 2009.

I hate to deem it a completely bad year, though. I can definitely say that I have learned a few lessons from last year, and perhaps the best thing that happened was that I became closer to
God.

And now, we are sitting at the beginning of a new year, and resolutions are made...

We always talk about our New Year's Resolutions in a joking and secretly dreading manner. It seems that most people see resolutions as daunting, impossible goals that have to be set at too high of a par. We then psyche ourselves up for the ultimate failure of these resolutions by February. What a bummer! To add to this tsunami of guilt, there are all of the diet programs, fitness programs, and self-help programs that claim to offer a new and easy way to survive your resolutions, but really they are just looking for a profit. It is so funny to count how many resolutions are commercialized on TV right now! I'd have to say that my favorite is still the button-busting Subway commercial from last year.

Have you ever looked up "resolution" on Dictionary.com? I was surprised to get 12 definitions for the word! There is the legal resolution, like the president being declared...there is the goal resolution, like New Year's Resolution...and there is the optical resolution, like clarity. Also, most of the definitions were related to a state of mind, to resolve. Thinking back on my resolutions, I don't think that I had the resolve to complete them. I also thought of my resolutions as goals instead of a mentality.

So, I invite you to join me on my resolution experiment ("and, if you try this method, I'll throw in an ULTIMATE SUPER SECRET CHEAT to keeping your resolution!" haha) To start with, there are two parts to our resolutions; the "resolute" part and the "tion" part

Let's start with the "tion" part, the action...

Before you make any resolutions this year, take what you want to change and find out WHY you want to change it. How about that cliche resolution to get in better shape? Ultimately, we just want to be happier with ourselves, right? And in a society that is completely physical, outward appearances seem like the best thing to change. Now, don't think that I am suggesting that we not take care of our God given bodies! Goodness no! I still have the resolution to get in better shape. The only difference this year is that I don't have a size or weight goal; I just want to be proud of the person in the mirror. (I am also using the ULTIMATE SUPER SECRET CHEAT)

Another thing to realize is that most of the resolutions we make, no matter how much we wish they weren't, are really long-term and don't have a quick fix. I think that what really trips us up in February is that we are tired and not seeing any improvement. Boy, wouldn't it be nice if we had that model's body on the commercial after only a month of work! Sadly, that body of theirs came from years of work and continuous maintenance. Sorry, but getting in shape is a life-time resolution. Don't be discouraged by this, though! Do you throw your morals in the air and just give up after every sin? No. You ask for forgiveness and then continue trying to be a good child of God. It ties back to the first point of knowing why you are following the resolution. Another of my resolutions is to have a "now" attitude in that I will really try to not procrastinate and also enjoy the moment. Now, if I am to be practical, I know that I will procrastinate some this year and complain about having to do something, but I hope to look back and be able to say, "Well, Amanda, you didn't procrastinate as much this year, and it was a good year, huh. Good job! Keep up the good work!"

So, know the what and the why of our resolutions. Know our resolutions like the back of our hands. Know our motivations and fears. When he was asked what we should study for the test, my old Physics professor would answer, "know everything." Knowing is a very important half of the battle and will drastically help with living our resolutions. Let's try to see our resolutions as a new beginning and adventure instead of the latest way to torture ourselves.

Now, what about the other half of the battle, the resolute?

Here is the ULTIMATE SUPER SECRET CHEAT that will give you the boost, confidence, and strength that you need to live your resolutions: God. That's right! God, Jesus, Holy Spirit...He created you, so who would be a better person to help change you? He offers 24/7 support, unfathomable love, and a great desire for you to be happy. He is also the best accountability buddy because He always has time. My number one resolution is to be a better listener and follower of God. When I devote everything, even my resolutions, to Him, nothing seems impossible! I know that Jesus, the guy who defeated death, can definitely help me defeat a few extra pounds or patience issues. God and I sat down before the new year and developed what looks like a great game plan. Pray about your resolutions, and I know that you and God can work it out. As I said, it is the ultimate cheat. And it's free!

So, good luck, and happy new year!