A New Year

Live your life with arms wide open. 

Today is where your book begins. 

The rest is still unwritten.

Natasha Bedingfield 

I try not to make too many New Year's Resolutions because they generally don't work for me.  I get tired of any kind of routine as soon as it becomes routine!  But I can't help but think about what I want to accomplish in this new year; what things I'd like to change (generally about me), and how I want to grow.

I've concluded that, without getting too specific, I need to get in shape this year; physically, mentally, and spiritually.  I've gotten sloppy in all of the above.

I'm glad life is a journey, and that I'm not expected to have arrived yet.  One of my dearest mentors, Shirley, taught me that through her own life.  She lived out loud.  When she was in the wrong, she was so willing to admit it and ask for forgiveness.  She loved from the heart and was not judgmental.  I learned more from her than she'll ever know.

Weight loss was not one of my New Year's resolutions last year - I decided it was necessary after seeing our holiday pictures, and realizing I was becoming lazy and sluggish.  It may have only been 20 pounds that I needed to shed, but it seemed it was creeping higher all the time, and as long as I ate like I did, I would continue to add a few pounds here and there.  So I joined Weight Watchers online in September and diligently counted my points.  Much of it is common sense, but there were also many things to learn about eating more healthy.  By Christmas I had shed the 20 pounds and was pleased to be able to get a new wardrobe.

 

But now I need to shape up.  The tummy is still there - just smaller.  I won't get specific about how I'll shape up, because I'm not sure yet.  Running would be the cheapest way to do it - I wouldn't have to join a gym - at least until Winnipeg gets a real winter.  I've never thought I was a runner, but I have sisters who are and a daughter who is, so maybe I should give it a shot.  Swimming would be another option, and my husband would love it if I'd learn to swim and enjoy it.  That costs more, and I really dislike being cold, which happens when I swim, so I'm not sure I'd stick to it very long.  Maybe if we went together once/week, or invited the grandkids occasionally, I could learn to enjoy swimming pools.  Or join a gym.  That is costly, and in my past experience, I didn't like the gym much more than swimming pools.  Maybe I'll end up doing a bit of all of the above.  That would be alright too.  I do try to walk on my lunch breaks at work, and run the stairs more often than taking the elevator.  Maybe I'll have to swear off the elevator altogether for a bit, but 5 stories can be very tiring!!

I am very glad that life is a journey and I'm not required to have everything figured out at any point in my life, even spiritually.  That journey has been interesting, to say the least.  I do know a few things that have not changed.  Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  God is love.  His first command for me is to Love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind and soul, and to love my neighbor as myself.  And in Micah 6:8, we are told: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Many other things are less clear. How do I live as a God-follower in this world?  How do I make sure my thoughts, desires and motives are in line with the God I claim to love?  How do I show that to a hurting world?  And how do I live that out with those I love who don't have the same faith that I have?  How do I talk about my faith and live it out without being offensive?   

Perhaps getting into shape spiritually means getting back to the basics.  Focusing on loving my God with all my heart, mind and soul and see where that journey takes me...  

And mentally: I fear my forgetfulness.  Alzheimers runs in my Dad's family.  And I believe my mother had it before she died.  So the fear is somewhat legitimate.  But the forgetfulness could also just be carelessness.  I've always been one who spoke without thinking and acted in the same way too often.  But I want to take more time to read this year - and read books that challenge me to grow in positive ways.

What else do I want for 2012?  Less focus on me, and more focus on others.  See where people are hurting and really care.  See people through God's eyes and love them with His love. If I can accomplish some of this, it will be a journey well worth the while.