New Year's Resolution Less/More list
I wrote a post last night and woke up this morning and deleted it. It was a little too intense. I figured I would lighten up this morning and tell you what my plan is for this new year without making you think I am a on an acid trip, haha.
Since I was a teenager I have always adored the beginning of the year, even the beginning of the school year. If you know me you know I am almost obsessed with change and the idea of a fresh start, even if it's only in my head. So my plan for the new year is instead of my typical list of resolutions I am going to have a less/more list. Nothing written in stone since I am a bit of a rebel at heart and will stupidly rebel against myself, but somewhat like the eat this not that concept. So hopefully you will be inspired. The bottom line for me is simply to evolve into the person I really want to be and do it in an intentional way, otherwise I will sit stagnantly the same, which I hate.
Less More
Worry Prayer
Complaining Being thankful
Consuming *Being consumer conscious
Spending Debt reducing
Fussing/nagging Praising/positive reinforcing
Television Reading
Social Networking Investing in relationships
Messiness Being organized
I am sure my list will grow which is great. One thing we recently implemented into our family is a family mission statement. I stole the idea from the book Simply Organized written by Tsh Oxenreider, which is fabulous and I highly recommend. It has been a great tool in helping me focus what is best for my family. Helping us realize that just because something is a good idea if it doesn't help our family accomplish our mission statement it may not be something we need to do. Here is ours and I encourage you to create one that suits your family and the things that are important to you.
To honor God in all that we do!
~Maintaining a peaceful home
~Showing respect to everyone
~Helping the needy
~Being healthy
~Being good stewards of His creation
Shortly after doing this we had a situation arise that we made a quick decision about because it fit the category of helping the needy. After a few weeks of living with the results of that decision we realized our home was anything but peaceful, which is of higher priority on our list. We then made a decision to change our original plan and do things to bring the peace back. I know that may sound overly simple to some of you but for us is was wonderful and instead of trying to make a decision based on emotion we were able to look at our mission statement and make a decision based on what is important to us.
*Just a quick note about what this statement means to me....I have been desiring change in this area for years but it seems overwhelming. This year I am determined to stop mindless buying and to implement the 3 Rs into our family, reduce, reuse, and recycle. I do like clothes and "stuff" but the truth is my purchases would be so much more productive to our countries economy if I purchased things that are made/grown here. Don't follow me around the grocery store saying "yeah right, she is a hypocrite" because I know this will be a process but I really want to start it. I love Etsy and have found so many wonderful things there and I have begun to make some of my own cleaning products with the hope of at some point not depending on a million other people to sustain my family, to reduce the toxins my family is exposed to, and to reduce the amount of plastics we throw away. Our town does not provide curbside recycling but there is a large recycling container at the town hall that I have taken some advantage of but am determined to use on a regular basis.
I hope this post has been encouraging. May the Lord bless you in 2012! I am expecting wonderful things, even if there is no major change in my life I am planning to open my eyes to everything beautiful around me and be grateful for every breathe I take.
Since I was a teenager I have always adored the beginning of the year, even the beginning of the school year. If you know me you know I am almost obsessed with change and the idea of a fresh start, even if it's only in my head. So my plan for the new year is instead of my typical list of resolutions I am going to have a less/more list. Nothing written in stone since I am a bit of a rebel at heart and will stupidly rebel against myself, but somewhat like the eat this not that concept. So hopefully you will be inspired. The bottom line for me is simply to evolve into the person I really want to be and do it in an intentional way, otherwise I will sit stagnantly the same, which I hate.
Less More
Worry Prayer
Complaining Being thankful
Consuming *Being consumer conscious
Spending Debt reducing
Fussing/nagging Praising/positive reinforcing
Television Reading
Social Networking Investing in relationships
Messiness Being organized
I am sure my list will grow which is great. One thing we recently implemented into our family is a family mission statement. I stole the idea from the book Simply Organized written by Tsh Oxenreider, which is fabulous and I highly recommend. It has been a great tool in helping me focus what is best for my family. Helping us realize that just because something is a good idea if it doesn't help our family accomplish our mission statement it may not be something we need to do. Here is ours and I encourage you to create one that suits your family and the things that are important to you.
To honor God in all that we do!
~Maintaining a peaceful home
~Showing respect to everyone
~Helping the needy
~Being healthy
~Being good stewards of His creation
Shortly after doing this we had a situation arise that we made a quick decision about because it fit the category of helping the needy. After a few weeks of living with the results of that decision we realized our home was anything but peaceful, which is of higher priority on our list. We then made a decision to change our original plan and do things to bring the peace back. I know that may sound overly simple to some of you but for us is was wonderful and instead of trying to make a decision based on emotion we were able to look at our mission statement and make a decision based on what is important to us.
*Just a quick note about what this statement means to me....I have been desiring change in this area for years but it seems overwhelming. This year I am determined to stop mindless buying and to implement the 3 Rs into our family, reduce, reuse, and recycle. I do like clothes and "stuff" but the truth is my purchases would be so much more productive to our countries economy if I purchased things that are made/grown here. Don't follow me around the grocery store saying "yeah right, she is a hypocrite" because I know this will be a process but I really want to start it. I love Etsy and have found so many wonderful things there and I have begun to make some of my own cleaning products with the hope of at some point not depending on a million other people to sustain my family, to reduce the toxins my family is exposed to, and to reduce the amount of plastics we throw away. Our town does not provide curbside recycling but there is a large recycling container at the town hall that I have taken some advantage of but am determined to use on a regular basis.
I hope this post has been encouraging. May the Lord bless you in 2012! I am expecting wonderful things, even if there is no major change in my life I am planning to open my eyes to everything beautiful around me and be grateful for every breathe I take.
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