Guess what the most common New Year's resolution is? That's right....fitness & health....exercise more & lose weight!
Every January we're bombarded with commercials about weight loss programs. The stores have their athletic shoes, clothes, & equipment on sale. The gyms advertise their lowest joining fees of the year.
Imagine if the most common New Year's resolution was to increase spirituality or grow in integrity? Galations 5:22,23 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control." What a difference this world would be if increasing these values were our top priorities! I've heard it said love & self-control are like the bookends of the Fruit of the Spirit. They are the anchors that keep the others in place. I see a year in this way-January & December being the bookends. January is a time for new beginnings, new goals, new dreams. December is a time of celebration....to honor the events of that year.
How will 2018 be unlike every other year? We don't know yet! I sure didn't imagine on January 1, 2017 that I would break my ankle & have surgery that required me to be away from home for months! I didn't know I'd have to have a procedure on my nose & my son-in-law would fly down to take care of me! I didn't dream I'd get a new part-time job! I had no idea I'd be blessed with visits from so many friends & family throughout the year.
The only thing I DO know about 2018 is that I want to do my best to become a better version of myself! The events of 2017 helped me to grow in patience, to stop resisting what is & just "accept" & to enjoy the moments that make up my life. I appreciate my ability to walk now so much more than I ever have! I cherish all my family members who sacrificed to take care of me when I needed them! I also learned what I need to work more on in this new year. I always choose a theme or word to focus on each year. My word for 2018 is DISCIPLINE. I've allowed myself to use my injury as an excuse to eat for comfort....so I need self-control instead of over- indulgence. Medical issues are expensive....so I need to discipline my spending habits to get my budget back in line! I need to refrain from negative thoughts & self-sabotage!
What about you? Where did you improve, stretch, & grow this past year? What do you want to change this new year? Life Coaching can help you achieve your goals & improve your life! Everything is easier with help, a plan, & accountability. If you have ever thought about hiring a life coach, now is the best time. Februrary 1, I'll be raising my rates for new clients....so purchase sessions now to lock in the best value!
It's been awhile since I organized a Facebook group, so now's the time! Join me for "January Jump-Start". It's not about exercise or eating healthy.....it's about using January to start the year off right....growing in spirituality. This will be an interactive group to encourage & inspire each other in our faith walk. Let's give spirituality top priority this year...then we will have great growth to celebrate come December!