Lean, Mean, and Green in 14

Welcome 2014! Last night I was reading through posts on the internet about how 2013 was the best year ever.  So many of my friends graduated or got engaged.  There were weddings, and lots and lots of babies (most will be born in 2014).  There were some bright spots this year but honestly I was happy to shut the door on ’13 at 12am this morning.  I can’t say that I’m romantically optimistic about what 2014 may hold, but I do see it as an opportunity for growth and especially here at the start…renewal.  The events of 2013, as in previous years, haven’t beaten me down.  I’m just better “refined” and more grateful than ever for the blessings and the lessons.

As is tradition I post my 2014 bucket list for the world to see.  Last year I had like 30 goals.  This year I decided to narrow down my list a little and try to be more practical / specific. 

1. Spend time in God’s word daily.  Seek the truth. 

I read a lot of material, talk to lots of different people.  It’s so easy to get bogged down into the 50 shades of truth that the world would have us to believe and buy into.  2013 impressed upon me the importance of seeking out and responding to the truth which I believe is tied to studying God’s word. 

2.  Keep a journal / prayer journal.

3.  Tithe 10% every 2 weeks and contribute to the church debt retirement.

4.  Continue to make monthly contributions to savings and my 401k.

5.  Spend time in prayer daily giving thanks first and always remembering to pray for those that I commit to praying for.  

We talked about this in bible study all the time.  People share their battles and our empathetic hearts say, “I’ll pray for you.” Then you continue grocery shopping or whatever and forget.  This year I’m going to take notes if I have to in a conscious effort to lift up people that specifically request it.  There is no greater way to show love than praying for someone else’s needs. 

6.  Drink only 2 cups of coffee per day.

I love my coffee and I need caffeine but it’s slowly eating a hole in my stomach lining.  Do I think I can do just 2 cups? No…especially not at first but there needs to be some kind of limit. 

7.  Smile.

My smiling muscles are weak from lack of use.  I tend to look serious when really I’m not. 

8.  Keep my e-mail inbox at 25 messages or less.

Current count… 298.  :(

9.  Return voicemails (which I hate) within 24 hours.

Just text me.  I’m probably in a meeting.  Or hang up.  I’ll call you back.  Promise.

10.  Complete my monthly reconcile report by the end of each month.

There are few tasks in my job that I don’t enjoy or at least find tolerable.  Part of my work is looking over financial reports.  I review the reports and work with my liaisons on a regular basis.  I don’t mind reviewing the books… I like numbers… but I don’t enjoy filling out the monthly spreadsheet I have to turn in.  Don’t ask me why… it’s just me being whiney and lazy.

 

11.  Have ears to hear the needs of others.

12.  Be a Barnabas.

Barnabas literally means, “son of encouragement.” Barnabas was an encourager to the apostles and believers in the early church.  He was described as a man obedient to God, full of faith and the holy spirit.

13.  Workout at least 5 times a week.

I know that won’t always be the case but it’s good to have goals.  I haven't figured out my race goals for the year.  I want to do at least 2 1/2 marathons and some tri work.  Last year I planned out my race schedule in Jan. and it changed all year so we will see.

14.  Check Facebook and social media only once per day.

I’ve read a lot lately about the anxiety and self-esteem issues that come from checking Facebook frequently.  In my mind, I’m like yeah right but then I got to thinking about how sometimes I, consciously or not, compare myself to my friends and what they have going on in their lives.  There have been moments where I felt inadequate and that’s not healthy.  Time to cut that crap back.

15.  Wherever I am, be all there.

I’m always in 2 places…where I am physically and where I am mentally.  I do better when I have more than one process rolling at once but it does cost me some focus and therefore at times I trade quality for quantity.  Plus I need to spend less time wishing things were different and more time enjoying and being useful with what I have and where I am.    

16.  Pursue some type of continuing education opportunity.

I need constructive criticism and growth in all areas of my life all the time.  I’m sorta feeling like it may be time for an intellectual challenge.    

17.  Ask for and give forgiveness freely.

There is no time like the present.  Better to do it now before there isn't an opportunity.

18.  Have fun as much as possible.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy.”

19.  Love even when it’s not returned. 

My senior year of high school my English teacher wrote a poem about our class.  We had been together for four years since there was only one honors English instructor in my high school.  In the poem he wrote a statement to each of us that began with the letter of our name.  The list is in alphabetical order so we knew whose statement belonged to whom.  He told us that the statement was either one of our strengths or a lesson that we needed to learn.  My statement:  “Love even when it’s not returned.” I have never figured out if this was my strength or a lesson so it’s been one of my goals for the past 11 years, and will continue to be for the rest of my days.  So much easier said than done at times.  

  

Whether you write goals, resolutions, or choose to let things come as they may… hope 2014 is blessed, productive, and positive for each of you!