It always starts in December as the year is closing and you think up what you wish to change about your person and your lifestyle. Which is so kindly followed with the dark reminder of resolutions left unfulfilled, and most probably forgotten completely.
The question you end up asking yourself is if you should reattempt those unfulfilled resolutions, simply give up and make new ones, or give up on making resolutions in general.
I gave up on New Years' Resolutions a long, long time ago. About the same time my teachers started the idea where you write yourself a confidential letter about your new resolutions and then they will kindly mail it out to you either 6 months later, or the following year.
It's a great idea. But it's also a horrible reminder of how easily I dismiss and forget those resolutions. So I figured it's easier to not even bother. You know, less disappointing, less stressful, and so on. The only downside is I willingly let myself sit in a rut, unmotivated to improve myself.
This year when it came to resolutions, I automatically threw the idea aside just as I have done in the past years. But after a long time of thinking, I knew I didn't want to settle for a year without improvement and the goals to motivate me. So I thought about it for a few days and decided I would make some intentional goals to improve myself and my lifestyle. But then past resolutions flooded my mind like terrifying ghosts of the past.
Why did I never succeed? Why is it that I eventually had to give up? Was it lack of motivation, or accountability? Were they unrealistic resolutions, or merely overwhelming ones?
There it is! The root of the problem. Sure, motivation is required, and accountability is suggested. But I think the problem with New Years' Resolutions is the concept of it all. Resolving to do something for an entire year without giving yourself grace of a possible falling out is unrealistic and overwhelming.
The majority of people's motivation rises from the end and the result. And yet we plan these goals for three hundred and sixty five days! Yikes! How can we see the end of that?!
So THIS is my resolution. I am taking it section by section. I have an overall resolution for the year, but it is broken up by ninety day sections. With 90 days there is an end in site, and possibly a reward after each section to keep me going.
This year I plan on reading the Bible at least 3 times. (I hope for 4, but I'll give myself room to pick myself up after I fail to read some days.) The idea is breaking up the year and reading the Bible once every 90 days.
The overall goal of this resolution is that within the next couple years I will have read the Bible 9 times. Each time with a particular fruit of the Spirit in mind. The first section of 90 days I will be reading the Bible and focusing on the first of the fruits; love. For 2010 I am resolving to read through the Bible focused on the fruits of love, joy, peace, and begin reading through patience.
It will be committing approximately 45min-1hr of daily reading, which is quite a commitment. But I am excited. I'm psyched to read through the Bible with particular focuses in mind and seeing how that shows and teaches me far more than ever before. It will be difficult, and some days I will fail to finish the reading. But I am resolving to pick it back up when I put it down.
So to everyone who made resolutions
...take it step by step so you can see an end in sight.
To those who didn't make resolutions
...make sure you are at least conscious of what you want to change, and make a point to change it over a certain time. Don't settle for the rut you're in now.
To all my readers
...hold me accountable, please. I promise you I'll need it. Thanks!
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