New Year, New Posts

New Year, New Posts

It is the first of January, 2015. It's that crazy month where no one can be sure what year it is. New Years is the worldwide birthday celebration. On our birthday, we celebrate another year of life that we have managed to survive. On New Years, we celebrate a new calendar year that we survived. The hubby and I managed to do some more un-decorating today. He did the outside stuff and I did the tree (but it is still up, just not decorated.) We also did some cleaning, hoping to do some furniture rearranging this weekend.

Many people take this time to reflect on the future and what they want to change about themselves. People will say they are going to do things: quit smoking, lose weight, find love, be cleaner, spend more time with family, eat healthier, travel more, etc. I think it's less about making outward changes and it's more about inward progress. While the list of do's is a very good and necessary list, on its own, it holds no weight (no pun intended.) Change doesn't happen because of a holiday or an important social concept. Change happens because one is unhappy with their self and resolves to change-inward or outward.

I choose to not make “New Years Resolutions” because they fade away too quickly. By February, most people have forgotten or thrown out their resolutions because they weren't as prominent and as committed as they once thought. Instead, I want to make “personal changes.” Putting them here, I hope will encourage me to make the changes and reflect a year from now to see how I've done.

1. Smile EVERYDAY. If only for a few minutes, even on the worst day, find a reason to smile. Between tears and heartache, find a reason to smile.
2. Encourage someone else at least once a week. Whether it is tell them that you see what they do and appreciate it, or if it's telling a person you believe in them, or showing up for their first public recital, encourage someone.
3. Place God first in every moment, every breath, and every thought. Make an effort to see the world and His children through His eyes.
4. Take one picture every day. Memories last a lifetime, but pictures leave a legacy. Memories cast in pictures last for generations

I would like to add to this list over time, but we'll see. I very well forget I ever even made this list, it's really hard to tell!

Here's to January 2^nd 2015! Oh and then the weekend!