Welcome to the New Year! This is a time where people set yearly resolutions and goals for their lives with hopes of being better people when the year ends. However, by the time January ends, they are back to their old routine and their old ways of thinking.
The best word I received last year was from my pastor's seven year old son who said, "Slow and steady wins the race." I love it!
I believe people often fail to complete their resolutions because just as soon as January 1st arrives, they hit the gate running. With good intentions they hit the gym 3-5 days a week, stick to their diet plans, manage their money better, etc. Yet, they wear themselves out by trying to stick to their resolutions that by the end of the first month they are wiped out.
Well, here are 10 this for having a spectacular year that's sure to help you become a better person and perhaps assist you in sticking to your resolutions or goals.
1. Put God first. Don't make a decision without first consulting God. Ask Him what He thinks, how He feels and if the decision you're about to make will help or hinder you from stepping into your greatness. Remember, He knows all things. He is Jehovah-Jireh, the God who sees ahead and provides.
2. Renew your mind. If you goal for the year is to better manage your money, then you need to renew your mind in the area of money management. Get books, CDs, go on websites, and learn all you can about money management. Whatever your goal or resolution may be, you must renew your mind in that particular area. Why? Because a renewed mind leads to renewed actions.
3. Put yourself first. I know this one may seem a little selfish, but bare with me please. When you find yourself in a bad situation or in a relationship that causes you to compromise who God has created you to be, then it's time for you to put yourself first. By that I mean, do whatever it takes to assure that you will have the best life free from mistreatment, misfortune and abuse. Say to that situation or that person, "I choose me!" Then go and be well.
4. Let go and let God. This cliche' is an oldie but goody. You may come across situations or even people that may try to destroy you, what you stand for, how you operate, and disrupt your purpose. You will be tempted to do or say things that may indeed cause you to forgo God's best for you. When that happens, let go - don't argue, don't curse, don't fight, don't give in to bitterness, anger or unforgiveness - just let God handle it.
5. Give of yourself. In an earlier post this week, "Let Your Light Shine," I encouraged you to share the gift of you with the world. The truth is, you are a very special, unique and treasured gift to this world. Share it. We need it. We need you. You are the solution to someone's problem in this world. So give of yourself.
6. Have fun. Relax and take time to enjoy life. What's the use of working, working, working if you can't take a break to enjoy life? As the old McDonald's commercial used to say, "You deserve a break today." So have fun! Play a game, go to a movie, go on a vacation, have a spa day, take an afternoon drive, go in the yard and play with your kids... just have fun!
7. Give thanks. Thanksgiving should not be the only time of year where you stop and give thanks for the many blessings in your life. Each day that you are alive and in your right mind is a reason to be thankful. Practice giving thanks this year to God, to family, to friends, to co-workers, to the check-out person in the store, the mechanic that works on your car... I guarantee that you'll begin to see life through a different set of eyes when you begin to practice the art of thanksgiving.
8. Be fearless. Don't be afraid to step out in faith to pursue your life's dreams, goals and aspirations. God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind. Whatever He puts on your heart to do, do it. Wherever He leads you to go, go there. Whatever He tells you to say, say it. If you feel fear coming on, ask God to remove all fear and to also give you the grace to be fearless.
9. Be accountable. This is something I teach all of my clients and the teens in my program... accountability. You must be accountable for your actions as it relates to your life's dreams, goals or even your New Year's resolutions. Find a friend, a mentor, a spiritual adviser or whoever God leads you to who will hold you accountable for your actions. Remember, accountability is centered around honesty. So be open and honest with who you choose as your partner and allow them to be open and honest with you.
10. Love and be lovable. Yep, I said "...be lovable." It's easy to tell people to love. Love is God and God is love. So, if you're a child of God love should somewhat come easy for you. The hard part comes in sometimes with the "be lovable" aspect of life. If you feel the pressure to do or say something that you know God would not be pleased with, take a step back, surrender those feelings to God and allow Him to work in and through you. (Refer back to # 4) He'll do a perfect work, you'll see.
I promise that if you adopt these ten tips and begin to put one into practice at a time, you'll have a spectacular year.
Until our next blog, Happy New Year!
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