Happy New Year, everyone! I hope each of you had a healthy, safe holiday season. I guess now it's back to the real world. I've decided that I have a love/hate relationship with the New Year. I love the idea of 12 fresh, new months unfolding before me. But... I hate my treadmill. The way it beckons to me from the corner of the room, taunting me with memories of all the food I've inhaled since.. well, Thanksgiving.
At the beginning of each new year, I used to make a detailed list of about a hundred completely unrealistic resolutions, psyche myself up and get started. I'd get up well before the sun and exercise for an hour. Then I'd shower, read my Bible and eat a nutritious breakfast, complete with two 8-ounce glasses of water. I was sweet and patient with my kids, professionally dressed for work and ON TIME everywhere I went. I ate a healthful lunch, taking time to stretch for 10 minutes and listen to soothing music. After work, I picked up the kids from daycare and school, hugging each one and asking how her day was, listening intently to their responses. Next came a healthful dinner that all the kids loved, after which the whole family snuggled and read books until bedtime. Do I really need to tell you the rest of the story? You got it - it lasted about 48 hours. Then I was back to my frazzled, breakfast (and exercise) skipping, tired, grouchy self. I always ended up feeling overwhelmed, anxious and miserable, which caused me to despise my "lack of discipline" and the first day of January.
Fast forward five years. I've learned from that vicious try-fail-hate myself cycle. Now, I do it differently. At the beginning of each new year, I 1) think about my priorities and 2) jot down a few things that I would like to improve on and one or two dreams I have for my life and family. It's encouraging to think back on the previous year and realize that I did learn, grow and change, even if only in small ways. I mess up a lot, and I still have a long way to go, but thankfully I'm not where I was 10 years ago. I fall short of expectations - my own and other people's. But the realization that each day matters and the assurance that God's grace is new every morning - not just some mornings - helps me keep things in perspective. When I think about the moments I'll share with the people I love, the books I'll read and the places I'll go, I feel grateful and optimistic about 2008. Who knows? I might even get up on that treadmill.
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3 comments:
Lisa, I feel your hate toward the treadmill. I quit making New Year resolutions years ago. I figured it was just setting myself up for failure. So, why do it, right?
I love reading your blog. You definately have a talent for writing.
Keep up the posts!
mommy i love you're blog alot you are a really good writer. do not let anything stop you from wrting.not anyone you have a great gift and it shoud be spread everywhere. and one more thing i love you alot and just keep writing,
Webbie (dose webbie ring a bell to you)
You know a long time ago my husband mentioned that working out seemed so silly. I was like "Well how else am I suppose to get into shape?" He had no answer just that it was not by working out. Then I went about my life working out or actually not doing it because I was too "busy" or "tired". Then the other day as part of my "non-new years new years resolution" (to see what I mean go to my blog) it hit me, why am I taking away from my family time to do this, surly God has other plans for us to get into shape other than working out without having to spend an hour each day on that treadmill. I read proverbs 31 and sure enough that lady got her workouts in by taking care of her family.
Unfortunately in today's world, modern conveniences make doing stuff for the family (while getting into shape) hard...especially in the winter months! I am guessing my best bet is going to have to be dancing while sweeping or dancing around the house with my baby. I am still pondering the answer and have left this question on my blog asking other women what they do (that is not just treadmill related) to get into shape. It will be nice to come up with some answers!
Latte Cannon
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