Tuesday, December 29, 2015

New Year's Eve- Eve-Eve!

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! The next exciting holiday, the new year, is almost here!
I was just thinking about this and realized, I'm not even sure what my New years resolutions for this year were! I know I wrote them down and there were a fair few, but I don't have any clue where I possibly put them... I even looked in my journal, to no avail. You would think that would be a good place to put it right?

Ha ha, maybe that should be one of my goals this year, write in your journal more!

I can, however, recall that I wanted to learn something new, get more organized (especially concerning my room), improve myself, and to learn how to paint.

I am happy to say that I made some headway with those goals! I took a bunch of online art classes, which were fun and instructive. I also took a few other random classes online for continuing education. I have been in the midst of a huge purging, cleaning, and reorganizing party. I feel like if I call it a party it will be more fun... right?

Oh, I do believe getting more fit was in there too! As it happens I've been getting some assistance with that in the past month... Which I stand by the theory of better late than never! I've also been on weight watchers! I have lost a total of 7 pounds which is pretty exciting stuff!

It's been an eventful year, and every year has it's ups and downs, but I can only recall more good times than bad this year! Which is great! I must be doing something right for my goal of improvement!
I am sure there are some items on that list that I never achieved, but I don't remember what they were either. But I've been working on looking at things more positively, so the glass is half full.  Any accomplishments, big or small, have to start somewhere. If you've made even a foot of progress in any of your goals then that's a very good first step! And if you have been too busy, hey that's totally fair! Life happens, and you have a life! So how did you do this year?

There are only a few more days left until the new year comes calling. I personally am looking forwards to November 2016, which is when a certain someone returns home from his mission! BUT in the mean time, I will be sure to keep working on whatever goals I set for myself, whether they are a continuation, or completely new resolutions from this year. If there is one thing I have learned this year it is that having a goal to strive towards makes all the difference in how you approach each day. And that can be anything from a physical goal, to something more personal like improving yourself in a trait/ area you are unhappy with.

But until then, stay safe and have a good New years Eve in a few days! Now would be the time for that last minute scrambling to get your resolutions from this year done. But only if you care that much to scramble. I personally believe just re-committing yourself to old goals that never happened is a great place to start. That's what I did for years. Literally. I believe that if you have the intent to do good, then the drive will follow, sometimes from your unhappiness in lack of progress, but all change has some measure of good. They may not be noticeable, but they will be there. Even if terrible things happen, our character and how we improve through these trials are the good that will come out of them. I've been there, struggling in/ with that sorrow, and I know many people who are there still. There will be a comforting light at the end of the tunnel. It may not happen right away, but who you become from those trials is what matters the most.  Each and every day is a gift to improve yourself. You just have to make the choice to do so.

Not every day will be perfect, and often the things that anger us or peeve us, are things that we honestly need to change about ourselves. I used to be terrified of change, and for that I only lived in loneliness, fear, and a whole lot of self- doubt. But as I have made changes, and been open to other changes outside of my control, I have been blessed with a stronger personality with which to deal with trials and whatever comes my way. And I certainly wouldn't have been able to do any of these things without my savior, Jesus Christ.

Lets everyone make a goal to be a little more kind to others this year. The world is an ever increasingly dark place with lots of very real physical and spiritual dangers. If we can show each other Christ's love for us, by being kinder to one another the world will be that much brighter. Lets not be quick to get angry, but rather quick to forgive.
Good Luck!