I’ve been indifferent to resolutions since I was a child. As I got older, they seemed less and less logical– why was it that people sought sudden and drastic changes at an arbitrary point in time that only had some kind of significance because of the culture of a particular society? Basically, it seemed like people were setting themselves up for failure. Though I didn’t realize this ’til later, change typically doesn’t happen suddenly. Usually, it’s gradual. Change is hard. Change requires discipline, self-control… basically, work. Change requires that people forego that cookie a day, drag their feet to the gym, read a difficult book when they could be watching a mindless movie.
Change is hard. The thing is, I’m always the type to get really amped up about something in the beginning, only to have that passion and energy fizzle away very quickly. I’m an idealistic optimist who can turn into a negative pessimist really quickly. I’ve tried to do resolutions a few times before and honestly, I don’t remember any of them. I’m pretty sure that they involved something with the Bible and prayer a few years. Maybe writing more. Eating healthier? Exercising? Something along those lines.
I’m learning that for resolutions, I’m going to have to keep recycling them every year. It’s ok to set the bar high– I just have to realize that that change may not come in a year but that that isn’t a reason to give up halfway into February when I realize that I haven’t even thought about my resolutions since the first week of January. Instead, I should just shrug and realize that it takes a lifetime’s worth of effort, if even, to accomplish some of my goals.
So for 2012, I’m not setting resolutions for this year. I’m setting foundations for my resolutions next year. If I’m not making change as quickly as I want to, that’s ok. As long as I keep persevering with it. If I’m not making any change at all, then that’s not ok. I need to stop and look at the situation to see what the problem is.
It’s going to be a simple list. I may add to it along the way. But unless if it’s something that’s a one time thing only (e.g., adopt a cat, finish that short story), things shouldn’t ever be removed from this list.
- Don’t be a complainer in speech, thought, or action.
- Read through the Bible (continually)
- Pray harder and more boldly
- Learn to enjoy waking up early
- Make something with whole wheat pasta that actually doesn’t make me want to throw up
- Limit eating out to twice a month (once a week at most)
I have a couple of others but I’m going to sit on those. Maybe those aren’t for me to share, either. They’re all really difficult for me (particularly #5… haha) but like I said, if I don’t make good progress in 2012, that’s ok. I’m not setting up resolutions to check off a box next to ‘em anyway. I know that typically, practical applications accompany resolutions but I find that once I do things like that, I am even more likely to not do something. I guess I don’t like structure as much as I thought I did. :)
Happy 2012! We have much to be thankful for!
