Can you guess what topic I’m going to blog about today? Resolutions! ~ Having purposeful intent in 2014!

I’m not very good about declaring resolutions which is probably why I don’t stick to any of them, and I’m not exactly holding my breath for 2014, but its the Eve of the New Year so why not make a list?

Things I’d like to get more purposeful about this year:

1.) If I say I’m going to pray for someone – doing it right away. 

I know this just sounds terrible, and “I pray” (pun intended) I’m not the only one,…but have you ever told someone that you would pray for them only to forget? Its not that I’m just saying “I’ll pray for you” to make the person feel better. I honestly WANT to pray, but as I often joke that I have early Alzheimer’s I’m just a forgetful person sometimes. One thing I started doing at the end of this year, that I’d like to stick to – is praying for someone immediately when I tell them I will. Sometimes this will be literally praying WITH them over the phone, an e-mail, text message, or on Facebook, or stopping what i’m doing, finding a quiet place, and praying right away.

2.) Get more organized

This has been a slow, yet steady process. I started with throwing or giving things away that we haven’t used in sometime, have outlived their purpose, or is just excess, but there is always more to be done.  Getting organized makes you feel better because you can focus on what’s important rather than the lingering feeling that you need to be organizing. Another thing I started doing was becoming “E-Organized”. I had literally turned into an “E-Hoarder” [call A&E]. I had around 4 or 5 separate blogs, and lets not talk about the amount of e-mails I keep in my inbox! (its downright ridiculous).

So to get more E-organized I started with combining my christian, “food” and personal blog all in one! What do you guys think so far?

Now, on to those e-mails!

3.) Keep fit/eat healthy

Isn’t this 313.9 Million other peoples “New Year Resolution” in America too? But really. Unfortunately due to the bombardment of confusing messages on food labels, and so called “facts” among experts its no wonder we are a confused nation. Simply put. I would like to be more focused on keeping fit, and eating healthier.  Some of my favorite people to follow is Dietitian Cassie, and Jimmy Moore.  Some of their suggestions may seem unconventional like FAT won’t make you FAT! but its been proven over an over again to work, and is based on scientific evidence. This year I might even follow more of her/their advice! I saw a t-shirt on a girl at the gym recently and it says this so succinctly, “Stop wishing for it, and start working for it!”. I love this! I think this quote can be applied to all areas of life.

“Stop wishing for it, and start working for it!”

4.) Sleep Better

I feel like this goal is kind of ridiculous. For as long as I can remember I’ve been a night owl. My parents have even told me that putting me to bed at night was a nightmare. Usually on every night of the week (including work nights) I am not in bed/asleep before midnight. I know this isn’t healthy for me, so this year I will focus on a more restful night.

5.) Make more memories

Our daughter has now started Kindergarten, and while this is “just the beginning” I know there is going to come a time very soon when this will all be no more. One thing we’ve started is Family Game Nigh which is especially fun now that our daughter doesn’t try to cheat as much. But even further, letting my daughter do some of the baking without worrying so much about the outcome or the mess, letting her decide what do do on a Friday night taking more family trips, and even taking a random road trip to see where we end up is what I’d like to do!

6.) Slow down

I used to be go-go-go every night of the week, but in 2013 I radically changed this. I learned to be a “no” person, instead of the “yes” person I always used to be. Not to say that I said No to every opportunity, but this meant sometimes saying no to friends, or myself when I already had 3 or 4 other things going on that week.  The payout was amazing.  Just spending a night at home vegging out, or allowing myself the opportunity to just sit on the deck in the summer and share a glass of wine with the neighbors was so needed! Finally I felt like I could breathe, and recharge. I can’t wait to see this in action for ALL of 2014.

7.) Don’t be afraid to try new things

Could 2014 be the year I try sushi, or volunteer for something I’m being called to do, yet don’t think I have the talents, or desire for? As this blog post states,” God doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called!” #truth

8.) Kayak Rice Creek

This isn’t just a pie in the sky goal. This goal is very real and I’m going to do it! Since 2011 I have desperately wanted to kayak down Rice Creek. It begins in Hugo, MN and traverses 22 miles until the confluence with the Mississippi River in Fridley. This year I am going to be VERY intent on actually doing it!

So I think that’s a pretty good list to start with.We’ll be popping champagne with good friends tonight, so Cheers to friends, good health & may God bless the New Year!