How to Make a New Years Resolution

A resolution? People are making a lot of them at New Years. What exactly is a resolution? Resolution is a noun meaning the act of resolving. Resolve means:  to deal with successfully : clear up <resolve doubts> <resolve a dispute> b : to find an answer to, to reach a firm decision about <resolve to get more sleep>

I like those definitions! My New Years Resolutions will help me deal successfully with breaking bad habits that I have formed, they will help me find an answer to my dilemmas, and the last one, they will help me reach a firm decision about something I need to do, change, think about, etc.

How does one make a New Years Resolution?

First, decide what you want to do this next year.
For me, I have a list a mile long:

• lose 96 pounds by this time next year by following Alex Beedings 10 weight loss challenges and going to TEAM 3 days a week.
• take on 3-4 sub jobs a week
• get my own classroom by the fall
• start a business with Kim - KD Whimsy CO
• finish the Mary Engelbreit cross-stitch quilt squares and make them into a quilted wall-hanging
• finish Destinys wedding present before June
• start a novel in January and finish it by November
• start a year scrapbook and finish my other scrapbooking projects
• and finish reading my stack of books...

Second, determine what this list will require
For me it will require a good dose of discipline, self-control, time management, organization and business savvy.

Third, break down your goals into smaller, measureable objectives. 
For example, my goal is to follow Alex's ten weight loss challenges, these include

• eating rainbow veggies every day (red, green, yellow/orange, white and blue/purple,
• eat 7-9 servings of veggies and 2-3 servings of fruit every day,
• drink at least 96 oz. of water every day,
• eat out no more than 5 times a week,
• remember to take vitamins and other supplements,
• no carbs or low carbs after 6,
• practice push-ups, planks and crunches every day,
• do something extra (water aerobics, extra walks, lifting weights)
•  and no more than 3 sweets a week 

oops, thats only nine... whats the other one? Anyways, all those little objectives look hard unless I make them measurable...making them measurable involves deciding how often I need to do this...every day or a few times a week?

Finally, make your resolutions to help you change the habit, thought process, etc. to help you accomplish your goals

Therefore, knowing that I want to do all of the above I therefore resolve:

to change my negative thinking to positive thinking...I can do this! I am strong! I am creative! Nothing is gonna stop me now!
I resolve to purge out old habits and replace them with healthier habits.
I resolve to let no negative excuse slip from my lips...
I resolve to wake up earlier so I can have more time in the day to plan and prepare
I resolve to declutter my belongings and sell,  give away or throw away anything that hinders me from accomplishing my goals.
I resolve to set aside time each week to work on my crafty projects and writing.
I resolve to spend money wisely buying no more new books until I finish the ones I need to read.
Finally, I resolve to not forsake my relationships with God, my family and my friends...they are my reason for living...

And most of all... always remember this:
If it matters you make the time.
If it doesn't you'll make excuses...

That's why most New Years Resolutions ends so quickly... most of us are really good at making excuses...

Once Upon a Christmas

Started writing December 5th, 2011...finishing it and editing today...

The treadmills are whirring. The clunk from barbells and dumbells being dropped to the floor can be heard from across the room. The floor is slightly shaking from the activity level of everyone who is working out. I have gotten to the gym early and am sitting down waiting for my class to start. The class, to lose weight, which was inspired by my father passing away due to heart disease. But first, I feel a pressing need to write. Something that has been weighing heavily on my heart all day. Memories of my father at Christmas time.

Today has been a gloomy day, cloudy and overcast, grayness pervading my thoughts. Christmas is going to be difficult this year, I am thinking. How does one deal with the recent passing away of a loved one that they held dear to their heart? How will my mom and sister make it through? So many memories of Dad once upon a Christmas... not so very long ago, but death makes time stand still. Dad would read the treasured gospel stories of the birth of Christ, the shepherds visitation, the wise men rejoicing when they saw the star and Mary pondering all these things in her heart - the Christmas story once upon a time.

 From the time I could remember to his last Christmas on earth, whoever was in the house on the night before Christmas day, would mute the lights in the living room, sip on their hot chocolate and with the glowing warmth of the Christmas tree lights Dads voice would gently read the words again to us... Once upon a Christmas...a holy hush...away in a manger...a silent night and peace on earth, goodwill to men. And then we would sing! Hark the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel and many more. And every year, a tear would slip down my cheek as I was reminded of what Christmas was all about. An infinite God becoming an infant. An infant growing up, dying on the cross and rising from the dead, so my ending could have a beginning. As Ann Voskamp writes, "If there is no cross in my Christmas, then my Christmas has lost Christ." Did Dad know the impact the Christmas story made upon my life...once upon a time?

And now this year? Who will read the treasured gospel stories of the birth of Christ? O Come All Ye Faithful... I can hear Dad singing it as we joined in on the melody and harmonies. Joyful and triumphant. God called a faithful man, husband, father and friend to many, home this year, and with joy he entered into eternal life. We miss him this year. Oh how we miss him! But with joyfulness we will remain triumphant. Tonight is Christmas Eve...David will read the Christmas story tonight... All my family, my three children and a son-in-law, will listen once again to... Once upon a Christmas, in the city of Bethelem, a baby was born... Christ the Lord, the Savior of man and His name shall be called Jesus...

Thank you Dad!

The Naughty Christmas Elf

This year we have a Christmas Elf that has moved into our house. He is spreading his mischief all through the house and its directed at me. He is trying to sabotage my weight loss efforts and make me look like I'm the naughty one. Take a look!

We have caught him in the pantry with an open bag of Pretzel M&M's... everyone thought that I had opened them and was eating them..

Then we caught him on the surveillance camera in the leftover Halloween candy...with the milk duds and tootise pops...

Then just this morning the surveillance camera caught him playing "I'm Gettin Nuttin' for Christmas (cuz I ain't been nothin but bad) on the piano... and everyone thought I was playing it!!! Rude and naughty Christmas Elf...

Wonder what he will try to do next?