Aloha and Happy New Year!
For the first Monday in 2016, I’m trying to make good on one of my goals for the year: to blog once a week, or so. I hope that you will find my posts encouraging and entertaining.
My first trip to Hawaii blew my hair and my mind!
A couple of circumstances are inspiring me to make positive changes.
This year, my youngest daughter will graduate from high school. I want to both dance a joyous jig that would totally embarrass her and moan a dramatic dirge to the end of the line for raising school age kids (which she could either find appalling or hilarious).
With this impending milestone of her departure for college, I want to make the most of my time. I’m a mom in transition. I also turned 50 in 2015, a number I have problems associating with myself. No thank you, I don’t want that AARP card!
I used my restlessness over the last few days to try to be more intentional in my approach to 2016. Last week, I did several things:
- listened to Michael Hyatt’s “This is Your Life” podcast, called “How to Finally Achieve your Dreams”
- read a short Kindle book, “Take Control of Your Life: A 2-hour plan to help you set and reach your goals”
- started reading Lysa TerKeurst’s great book, “The Best Yes,” only $2.99 for the Kindle.
They all have similar themes of making thoughtful, intentional plans about making the most of life in your current season. My goals are different than my friends Jill and Kala who are moms of young children or my good buddy Anne who is single and teaches at a mission school on a Navajo reservation.
I came up with a short list of goals. One of them is to post regularly on the blog and another is to plan fun times with my family.
For the blog, I’m not going to wait for an inspiring idea. I’m going to make myself post something. I hope I don’t disappoint my seven avid readers… (I love you, Mom!). I’ve decided that if I post five more times by Feb. 15, I will reward myself with something I want but don’t really need.
On the family fun list, we’ve been wanting Anna to decide where we will go for Spring Break (must be in the continental U.S.). I’ll help her get started because planning trips is one of my passions. Shawn and I went on an amazing Hawaii vacation last month, which I planned through VRBO, TripAdvisor and other online resources.
What about you? Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? Do you have any advice for how to stick to your plan?
Yes, it is as lovely as it looks.
Just letting you know you have at least eight faithful readers.
Thanks, Martise! That’s so reassuring to hear! Each one counts.
Looking forward to your coming posts! I’m breaking down resolutions into monthly challenges. ( e.g. Go to bed every night before 10 for a month, no sugar for a month, write a letter to a friend or family member telling them what a blessing they are in your life every day for a month. ). I figure it’s easier to stick to something for 30 days than a whole year. But, it’s also long enough to establish a habit if I find it really makes a difference.
I like your ideas, Jen! A month does sound less intimidating. Good luck!
Sandra, Enjoyed your blog and catching up on you. Sounds like a wonderful Hawaii trip!! Enjoyed Jarrel’s visit at Thanksgiving.
love you