We tuned in to watch the ball drop in NY, and as it fell - the kids cheered, the hubby swung Hannah around, and I cried. Yep, cried - real tears and everything. The cheering turned into silence, the kids exchanged looks of confusions with each other and their Dad.
Why is mom crying this time?
Now to be honest, I was just as surprised as they were. It seemed to come way out of left field. I was completely unprepared. At first, I think they were tears of relief. 2010 is FINALLY over. We have been tried and stretched much further than I ever imagined. And then as that feeling of relief passed, I was overcome by a strong sense of gratitude. For as many crazy things that have happened - we have received far greater in blessings.
I purposely didn't set any resolutions for 2010. I think it may have been because I was too pregnant. I knew the year would be about survival, having a sweet baby boy join our family. But it has been far more than surviving - having learned more of life's lessons than I can count.
So for 2011 - I think it's time for some new goals. Fresh year, fresh start. I have heard many different approaches to setting these resolutions. Pick a word or words to become. Try to set a goal for each perspective of your life. Don't set any resolutions that can't be achieved. Write them down.
And I figure I can do a little bit of everything, since really, it all kind of ties together. Here it goes:
Words of the year:
1. Quiet - I just want a quiet year. I am sure it will be busy and hectic and things will come that are out of my control. But in what I CAN control - I want a quiet, simple life.
2. Balance - This goes right along with quiet. I need to find a better balance. A balance between work and play. A balance between my husband and kids. And a balance between all that is required of me as a mom, and what I need just for me. And a balance between me and my relationship with my Savior.
Perspectives of Life:
1. Physical - I kind of got an early start on that in December (so far so good). I want to exercise at least 5 times a week to help keep and build muscle mass as my body shrinks (I love that word).
2. Mental - I want to study one subject a month. It could be a person, an era in history, a culture. But something different each month. When I actually get the time to sit down and read - I find myself craving more. Maybe this is a way to be more effective about it. I was also thinking that I could maybe blog about it. We'll see how it goes.
3. Spiritual - Daily scripture study. I used to be really good at this, and then I had kids. Things change and there is a season for everything. But my soul needs this. It aches, and I know it is because I need to be closer to my Savior.
4. Emotional - Keep a journal. Write my thoughts down. I used to keep a daily journal. I wrote in it everyday from the time I was 12 to after I turned 19 (hmmm - right around the time I started dating Tracy. He was too much of a distraction).
Now that I have set goals, the question keeps coming to my mind of how I am going to achieve them. Yes, having a plan will help. I have actually put a lot of thought into this. I have tried to come up with a hundred different options, just to avoid the ONE option that I know will work. Alas, nothing really compares the the best option, even if it means GREAT sacrifice on my part. And the best option is? Waking up 1 to 1 1/2 hours earlier than the kids. Eeek. Did I mention that I am not a morning person? Sigh. I think this will be the hardest part. I know that if I get up earlier that will allow me to actually work on the goals I have set. It will give me time to have scripture study - to ponder and reflect. It allow me to have some quiet in my life. It will give me personal time to work on me. It will allow me to exercise and shower without interruption. I could even journal about the day before when I am actually rested - so I won't have to rush through it.
See, it all kind of ties together.
Now I know I won't be able to do all of it everyday, but I gotta start somewhere. And hopefully next New Year's Eve, when I cry it will not only be because of gratitude, but also from a sense of accomplishment.
4 comments:
I was reading some of this post to Mike, and he keeps laughing at how well we'd get along. I am also doing the 4 areas you mentioned (physical, mental, etc.) AND my physical goal is getting up earlier (and hopefully going to bed earlier or else I'll be REALLY cranky). I love it when I do it, but it is hard. I hope we can do it!
Great goals! I, too, have found that the only time I do good personal scripture study and prayers are when I can get up early. And it is HARD. But what can be even harder is making myself go to bed at a decent hour! Good luck! Keep us posted.
I am inspired by your goals this year. I made some similar goals, and am feeling motivated by your post. Thank you!
Sheri, i just love you. I wish we were closer growing up, and I wish you lived up here now. I love that you cried. I did the next day, just thinking about thow fast that year went, and how fast the last 9 years have gone with kids and it's soooo sad. This past year was a decent year for us, not our best, not our worst. But I really hope 2011 competes with our best. I LOVE your goals...especially mental goal. I wanna do that. I decided i wanna read this year. I hate reading,a nd I've never been a reader, but I want to be that example to my kids so that they'll learn to love it. I read to them all the time...kid's books, but I don't read for my own enjoyment. Your goals are all amazing, and you'll do great at all of them!
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