Are you winding down after, or between, holiday celebrations or are you gearing up for the new year? Have you given any thought about what you want to accomplish in 2013? Are you feeling a need for change and/or improvement? If so, in what area are you most needing change? Health, relationships, career?
Every year during this week between Christmas and New Year's there are countless articles, tv shows, blog posts and various other social media messages about resolutions. All of these, including the one I am writing, can move us to think about our lives and question what we are doing and how we are doing it - or not doing it. We look back over the year - maybe as far back as our last resolution - and see how we are doing. Did we become better somehow? Are we happier, healthier or better off than we were a year ago?
Many times there seems to be more questions than answers. Why is that? I think it's because we are in a continual state of learning, changing and growing. Do we ever arrive where we want to be? Is anyone ever satisfied with exactly where they are and feel no need of improvement? I wonder.
During this week between Christmas and New Year's, I like to take some time to reflect on the past year. What worked and what didn't? What am glad that I did and what do I regret doing - or not doing? If I can, what/how will I improve? I don't focus solely on the negative, but include the positive as well. It is important to acknowledge the good along with the not so good. If we recognize what worked, we will be more likely to repeat it.
I look at the major areas in my life and decide on one change or improvement I will make. I consider my marriage, my family relationships, my relationships with friends, obligations with various groups such as Girl Scouts or church, my career, my health and my relationship with God. Improving in these areas requires intention. I take an honest look at these areas and decide how I will improve.
In the area of health, my goals are usually centered around running. I have been running now for 9 years. Each year my goals shift a bit. Each year I focus on a particular facet. For instance, a few years ago, my goal was to normalize a 10 mile run. In other words, I wanted to get to a point where I could do a 10 miler whenever I wanted. I committed to consistent training and I did it. I strengthened my base and by the end of the year, a 10 miler felt like a 5 miler did just the year before. That may not sound like a big difference, but for me at that time, it was a nice accomplishment.
Today, I find myself, once again looking at various areas of my life. I consider the resolutions of 2012 and review how they played out in my life. Some of them I handled well, and others I did not accomplish. (I will definitely expound on these in a later blog - no doubt all of us have failed at keeping a resolution here and there.) I will take some time and decide what to do (or not do!).
This exercise brings perspective to my life. It also guides me to become who I want to be. When I live with intention, making conscious decisions about how I will live, I am more likely to succeed in the important areas of my life.
Join me in looking back in order to move forward in 2013! Today is the 26th. We have 5 days to consider 2012 and make decisions about 2013. Invite perspective into your life by reflecting on the year. Live intentionally in 2013 to make the changes and accomplish the goals that are important to you!
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