Since last year, my husband and I have made it a tradition to compile at least 10 new year resolutions, goals, or things we just want to see more of in the upcoming year. 2014 was truly the most amazing year. In 2014, I stopped slaving in retail and started working a desk job which I’m still at and still love. In 2014, my relationship with God strengthened in a major way. Best of all, 2014 was the year I got married to my best friend.
Last night, me and my husband laid in bed and went through last years list we made for what we wanted from the year 2014. I was discouraged in my list. I didn’t even accomplish half of my goals. All of them were physical. Get this, have that, lose this, gain that. The only thing I really even accomplished was to get married, which I did that one pretty dang good if you ask me. 😉 So this year, I’ve decided to make my list a little less about material things (although realistically some are still in there) and more about working on myself on the inside. I couldn’t narrow it down to 10 for some reason. 12 just felt right. SO HERE IT IS! My list of hopes and dreams for 2015.
1. Apologize when I don’t want to. Admit that I’m not always right and be less stubborn in admitting to others when I’m wrong.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who suffers with this. I will argue until I’m blue in the face, even though I know the other person is right. I blame my horoscope. Leos are strong and opinionated; they are leaders of the pack. I can’t help it. This year I will try to make a conscious effort to be better in my admission of wrong and my acceptance that I am not Einstein.
2. Put God first in EVERY SINGLE THING I do. Chase God relentlessly. Spread His word and grace through my actions and interactions with anyone who crosses my path daily.
There have been so many times this year when I have been shopping and I have come into contact with someone rude. I would open the door for them and they wouldn’t say thank you. I would say “excuse me” to politely pass by them when they were looking at something intently just to hear them groan that I was in the way. This year, I hope to continue going out of my way for others and not expecting anything back. After all, if you’re doing something nice for someone to be praised in return, you aren’t really doing something for them, you’re doing something for YOU.
3. Chill out on the “road rage.”
I don’t know why, but I am the most angry driver. I can never win! I drive the speed limit and people go around me and mean-mug me because I’m driving too slow. When I drive faster to keep up with traffic, Grandma Lou decides it’s a good day to get in her Oldsmobile and drive 20 on the highway right in front of me. I hate when people text and then drive slow or all over the place, yet I do the same thing. This year, I hope I can learn to take a deep breath and just follow all the driving rules… peacefully. 2014 BRAG THOUGH- I DIDN’T GET A SPEEDING TICKET ALL YEAR. I think that calls for applause. *claps for self*
4. Make an effort to judge others less.
We. Are. All. Guilty. I think this should be on every single person’s list of resolutions. We do it in the mall. We do it at restaurants. We do it at work. We do it at school. We do it when we drive. We do it when we’re on social media. We all do it. Who cares if someone has posted 100 pictures of their baby (or dogs- me) this week? Who cares if someone is complaining on Facebook about their partner/boss/kids/parents/etc? WHO CARES? We waste so much time as humans worrying about what other people are doing “wrong” in their lives. Let God be the judge. After all, my opinion on you, you, and/or you won’t get any of us into Heaven.
5. Move into a new place with my boys – Make sure there is a backyard for them to romp around in.
It doesn’t have to be some modern home at the edge of a cliff in Washington. It doesn’t have to be on the beach in California. All I want is a decent sized home where we can plant ourselves and start to grow. It’s so hard being in an apartment. Neighbors are loud, parking sucks, and there’s always something breaking BUT we have a roof over our head. Our lease is up in April, and I hope God comes through for us. We’ve been praying so hard since we renewed our lease back in October. Our poor dogs should have a yard that they can run around in and get muddy and track dirt all over the hou- NO. Nevermind. But really, we are praying we can find something soon.
6. Read more books – but above all else, more of God’s word DAILY.
For the first time in like 4 years, I actually read a book this year. Isn’t that sad? I haven’t finished it. It’s buried underneath everything on my shelf. I really enjoyed it though. I feel like I’ve been a zombie since I’ve been focused primarily on working. Of course I’ve been doing school here and there also, but that’s not FUN reading. I miss the days of going to library, book fairs, and AR tests and points. I might as well be like Billy Madison. “Back to school, back to school…” On a greater note, I spent quite a bit of time in the bible this year. It is so fulfilling. The Bible used to really intimidate me. It’s so big and full of words. Don’t I sound educated? I really should read more. I’m going to make a promise to myself to spend the first 6 months of this year making the bible a priority weekly and in the last 6 months to grow into spending some time each day reading God’s word. Isn’t it ironic that I just got a notification on my phone from my Bible app telling me to open it up and read the “7 Bible Habit Tips I Should Start Today?” God’s will.
7. Find and connect in a church family. Tithe, even when the money is tight. Serve God and prepare to be blessed.
This has been another hard one for me in 2014. We visited so many new churches trying to find one that we could sink our teeth into and really devour the word and teachings. Hopefully this year we can find a church that we feel will be our home. I would love to find some way to volunteer weekly in a church as well. Tithing is also something that’s hard for us. We are young, without degrees, living alone, and living paycheck to paycheck. But we always must remember to give God 10 percent of what He has already blessed us with and in return He will turn our measly 10 percent into a 100 percent return in His glory.
8. Warm Dallas 2015. Actually make it happen and rally people together for the cause.
During Thanksgiving, I had a strong urge to serve others. It was stronger than it ever has been. I came up with an idea, shared it with a few people, and I hope to make it happen in 2015. On both Thanksgiving eve and Christmas eve in 2015, I would like to get a large group of friends, family, even acquaintances together to distribute blankets and servings of holiday meals to the homeless and less fortunate in downtown Dallas. I would really love to make this happen. Even if no one wants to do it with me, me and my husband will be on the front lines this year, serving those who are spending the holiday seasons on the cold streets. It’s a blessing to bless others and I want to make that my motto for this year.
9. If not Nicaragua, serve in at least ONE mission based trip or experience this year.
I just want to reiterate how absolutely fortunate we are to have everything we have as Americans. We take running water for granted. We take BOTTLED water for granted. For heaven’s sake, we take washers and dryers for granted. I would love the opportunity to experience a third world country that doesn’t have the amenities that I have. I know it would be a humbling experience.
10. Learn to put full trust in my husband.
I struggle with this every day. I, being the leader I am, think I have everything under control. I have to dictate every aspect of everything because I feel like if I let the reigns go, something bad will happen. This has come from my experiences in life where I’ve had to be in a group in school and everyone in my group either didn’t show up for presentation day or they just didn’t care if they passed or failed. I always cared. I have to learn to calm my inner lion down, and know that sometimes I can be the assistant. Sometimes I can be the vice president. It will cause me to stress less, and over all, be a better wife.
11. Baby makes 3. Hopefully…
No explanation needed.
12. Tell Dylan how absolutely blessed I am to be his wife as often as I can.
Sometimes I forget how lucky I am. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am. This year I want to do my best to ensure everyone I love (mostly including my husband) knows and believes with their whole heart that I love them. If I can do that, I know this year will be the best one yet.
Happy 2015 to all of my family and friends. Share your resolutions with me!