There are so many reasons I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions or set goals on the 1st January… the stress… the pressure… and I just hate that February Fizzle!
However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have aspirations for the year, or that I won’t set any goals… I just like to think about it during the month of January, and even play with ideas… and words. Reflect on my feelings, Review how I did the previous year, take time to create my goal plan… and most importantly, define my priorities and resources.
I have never made a New Year’s Resolution to go to the gym… 1, 2 or even 3 times a week, in fact, I’ve never worked out in a gym, so of course it’s pointless!
However, I do make goals for my health… eating better, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep and doing enough exercise. Most years I have managed to maintain my healthy weight and fitness levels, when I have health goals for the year. However, in recent years when I haven’t had any ‘health and weight’ related goals …I haven’t.
Even when I haven’t previously achieved 100% of my health and weight goals… or even come close to 80%… or even 60%… I’ve still done better when I have aspirations and goals, then when I don’t.
In my maturity, as I’ve come to know myself… the only time I don’t have aspirations that I’m working towards… is when I’m being cowardly… or even worse, lazy! *Smile*
It also means I don’t have…
Hopes… Dreams… Desires…
Then what is the point of celebrating the milestones.
Enjoying Christmas and Heralding the New Year, as you may as well just live each day the same.
I love my lists… and having aspirations… and working towards a goal.
Even when I fail, I’m trying… I’m growing… I’m learning.
I’m discovering more about myself, my life, the relationships I share… I’m discovering my motivations, and ambitions… or even if I don’t have any. *Grin*
Having hope… and having dreams and desires, gives us purpose, allows us to find motivation to keep trying when we face challenges and trials.
Having an aspiration or an aim and an objective that we are striving towards, can inspire our creativity and fuel our hopes and desires when we stumble through pitfalls or face what may seem like insurmountable odds, so that we have the courage and the stamina to keep trying and eventually reach our goal, no matter how long it may take.
Then there’s that special something that I’ve discovered during the past two years of my life, which, despite my not wanting to be a Grinch, have been close to the worst and most challenging two years of my life…
There have been accidents… and death, sorrow and heartache. Conflict, turmoil and catastrophes… and just when I have thought my heart couldn’t break anymore… it has. Lies, betrayal, broken trust, disagreements… controversy and opposition. In full health I have loads of energy and usually cope relatively easy with most of life’s situations… with ill health, non-treatable ailments, lack of energy and of course menopause… which I am now going through for the fourth time, so you think it would be easier, as I went through menopause in my early-twenties, mid-thirties, mid-forties and now it’s full-blown at fifty… and really… seriously… hot flushes… four day hormone headaches… night sweats… insomnia… you can understand why there are some days I just do not want to get out of bed – would you… and I would rather lounge around watching TV series, eating chocolate and drinking Mountain Dew… granted none of it healthy.
The reason I do get up in the morning on these days… that special inspiration when nothing else would motivate me, is best shared in a quote I found this morning…
Keep loving. Keep trying.
Keep trusting. Keep believing.
Keep growing.
Heaven is cheering you on
today, tomorrow, and forever.
~ Jeffrey R. Holland
No matter how unmotivated I feel when I get up in the morning… when I go on my knees to pray, I always feel better… comforted and happier… and I just feel those cheers spurring me to do even just one thing… a chore, an errand… an hour of work. *Smile*
Celebrate each moment… you are awesome and special.
Love and Laughter
Mands
“Maybe Christmas” the Grinch thought,
“doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas… perhaps…
means a little bit more.”
~ Dr. Seuss
The Grinch is a fictional character created by Dr. Seuss. He is best known as the main character of the children’s book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (1957).
The grumpy, anti-holiday spirit of the character has led to the term “Grinch”, which is probably derived from the French word grincheux which means “grumpy”, coming to refer to a person opposed to Christmas time celebrations or to someone with a coarse, greedy attitude.
I am happy to confirm that my Wife does indeed love lists. At one point in our marriage, I’m sure she even had a list of her lists 🙂
From an ever loving Husband…
Hahahahahaha …you would think that. *Grin* Thanks for the ‘ever loving’ …you so are. *Mwah*