Thursday, January 1, 2009

What's On Your Mind '09

Shane, over at Heart Reflections, has issued a new writing challenge, "What's On Your Mind '09" that will be on Tuesdays. She is eager to start, however, so began with a challenge today. We are to write about our personal resolutions for 2009.

Well.

I've written a couple times in our church newsletter about how much I love new beginnings. Since New Year is the ultimate new beginning, of course I have always thought about resolutions on New Year's Day. The problem is follow-through ...

In the past, I've resolved:
  • to lose weight
  • to get more organized
  • to live within my budget
  • to exercise (not more, just to exercise!)

I wouldn't even get through January before I had given up!

The problem was I didn't have specific goals. I resolved to lose weight. Suppose I had resolved to lose 10 pounds that year? That's a much more doable goal. Instead of resolving to exercise perhaps I could have started out with 15 minutes of exercise 3 times a week and worked my way up.

Also, I always resolved several life-changing challenges at once. If I had just resolved one thing a year in 4 years I would have attained my goals. Instead, here I am with nothing accomplished.

If there is one thing you can say about me, I'm not a quitter. So, yes, I'm making 2009 resolutions -- but not too many. Just two. Two that I can actually visualize accomplishing.

  1. First, I'm focusing on the spiritual. I'm going to memorize scripture. I'm not going to go all crazy and say that I'm memorizing whole books of the bible or anything. I'm learning two scriptures a month, 24 a year. That's doable. I'm going to be accountable and join in with the siestas at Beth Moore's The Living Proof Ministries blog. Last time I looked, I think about 2300 others are going to do the same thing! I know I can do this.
  2. Second, I want to lose one pound a month. I always want to think of weight loss in terms of 30-40-50 pounds and get no where. If I accomplish my goal of one pound a month, at the end of 2009, I will have lost 12 pounds. Losing 12 pounds can be the catalyst of a bigger weight loss that I need to make. And it won't be gaining! It's really discouraging to end a year weighing more than at the beginning.

To accomplish both goals, I know I will need help from the Lord. I am asking Him for inspiration on what verses He wants me to "hide in my heart." For weight loss, I also ask Him to help me use the fruit of the spirit that is already within me: self-control.

There you have it, my personal 2009 goals to strenthen body and spirit. To my readers that see me in person, ask me how I'm doing with my goals. I need the accountability!

5 comments:

  1. Jeri - great job breaking down past goals into smaller, achievable benchmarks. I too want to memorize scripture, but honestly, 2x a month is too much for me! RIght now, I'm working on my 09 verse. If I have it memorized by the end of a month, I'll move on to another. I'm also working on exercising and weight issues. I haven't worn shorts for years! I'm hoping this summer I won't be embarrased by my flabby legs! So, I'm aiming for 2lbs per month.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Thanks, Jerri, for sharing your new goals for 2009! I, too, have been challenged in the area of scripture memorization, long before Beth's challenge to us. However, I'm going to commit to hers because I need the accountability.

    Love your anchor verse for 2009! You already know mine, and the 1st verse I'm adding to my index cards is Isaiah 54:10.

    Thanks for visiting the blog. You are welcome anytime.

    peace~elaine

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  3. Jeri,
    I popped over from Shane's blog. I'm participating too. :-)

    I enjoyed "meeting" you and totally agree with you on the goal setting. Sometimes one little, seemingly insignificant, step at a time adds up to quite an accomplishment. Good luck with your goals!

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  4. Hi I am Jessica from Just a Blink.
    I joined the Mr. linky from Shane's blog, too. I am also in constant need of the fruit of the Spirit, self-control. I will pray that you are ever seeking God's purpose in your life.

    Happy 2009!

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  5. That is so great!! I agree with the smaller goals. They are easier to achieve and plan for. As I had posted for me it is easier to reach a goal then to keep a resolution.

    I look forward to getting to know you better through Tuesdays!

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