Goals vs Resolutions

Resolutions get a bad rap.

We think that to make a resolution is to vow to fail. How many of us well-meaning people start out the year promising themselves they'll become more perfect the coming year?

That can include not smoking or drinking, exercizing more,reading Scripture more often, becoming more friendly, being less of a jerk...

It implies that we're supposed to become a different person (only better?)once the clock strikes 12.

Then at 12:05 we mess up.

We feel like a failure and over time we refuse to make resolutions knowing it will only magnify how weak or undisciplined we are.

How we're stuck being who we are.

However, goals mean something else entirely. Goal weight, goal running time, financial or academic goals. Reading through the Bible in a year goals.
The word 'goal' is more hopeful. It doesn't imply failure but daily progress.

I encourage all of us (me too) to realistically accept that goals are future oriented rather than in the here and now.

I hate it when I tell dear hubby that I shouldn't be so moody and he responds by saying (wait for it) "Then DON'T."

I don't think he realizes how close I am to resolve to smack him in the head!

Just as we expect our friends and loved ones to respect our efforts and love us in spite of our failures I think we need to do the same thing for ourselves.

RESOLVE that you're going to set practical GOALS for yourself daily. Turn your back on expecting to be able to keep impractical RESOLUTIONS.

My days of wishing to be an olympic gymnast is probably not gonna happen. And that's okay. I don't want to intimidate the youngsters who still have that goal.

Quit Thinking and DO Something!

It seems I have spent most of my life trying to slow down.

By that I mean I've always spoken out of turn, made rash decisions, had major meltdowns that turned out to be based on emotion rather than fact.

It has kicked my backside time and again.

So much so that I've become a huge fan of taking a moment to stop, think, and pray before making a major (or even minor) decison.

That's cool and it's saved me from many angst-filled moments. I'm sure if I hadn't taken those breathers I'd have more regrets and been compelled to make amends alot.

But I've become aware of a problem that arises when we take too long to think about all the ins and outs of each situation:

Paralysis.

We tend to think that everything needs to be planned out to the ultimate degree before we make a single decision. By the time we write everything down, make multiple copies, bring it to our church care group, or talk to anyone we've ever met, the opportunity might well be gone. Or something else pushed its way into our thoughts and again, by the time we remember to think about it the chance has passed us by.

I think sometimes we demand a guarantee that everything we do will be successful and if we do everything right our lives will be perfect and problem free.

That takes away the risk, to be sure, but it also excludes the excitement and courage it takes to simply trust that God will take care of us.

I believe that we take ourselves too seriously sometimes; what makes me think that my worrying about an issue will make it go any easier?

Lately I've beome aware of how important it is to actually put action to our hopes and dreams. Like, if you dream of being a writer, write something. If you want to be a gardener, plant something. If you want to be an action hero, practice your alter ego and get exercise by wriggling into your tights in extremely small spaces.

How tragic it would be to look back on your life and think about all the hesitations and second-thoughts that caused paralysis and lack of contentment.

Quit thinking so hard and DO something!

New Personal Goals

I used to have these wild fantasy's that someday I'd be rich and famous.

Now my biggest goal is to not be featured in a 'Seen at Wal-Mart' photo email.