resolutions + realizations

I am lazy.

So it’s a new year. {happy new year by the way!} New Years always means potential new year’s resolutions. I have NEVER in my life made real-life resolutions, because I know I am lazy and forgetful and that I won’t stick to them. However, coming to college has called for lots of changes, some in me and some in my surroundings. And I have decided that this year, I am going to put on my big girl panties and write some…and attempt to keep them. For real. I figure that publishing it on this blog creates physical proof of these resolutions, and sending them out on the interwebs will be a good way for me to hold myself accountable to them, mostly because it will be terribly embarrassing if I look back and realize I didn’t keep them.

SO. Without further ado, here are my 2015 resolutions.

1.     Start a blog (one down, ladies and gentlemen)

2.    Embark on the radical sabbatical (you can read my post on this here, but this task includes reading my Bible daily along with other books and things, so a sub-resolution)

3.    Exercise regularly and set realistic health and fitness goals (I ran here and there and went to the gym occasionally last semester, but I want to make it a regular thing, for my health’s sake. And because spring break bod amirightladies?)

4.   Play piano more, even get back into reading music

5.    Become better at the guitar

6.   Go on adventures regularly and photograph the memories (I recently bought a GoPro camera, which has motivated me to start doing cooler things with my life. Even if it means using the wide-angle lens to take a picture of myself eating donuts alone. Make everything an adventure.)

7.    Choose joy every day (I started doing this in the fall and I HIGHLY recommend it. Say it out loud every morning. Shout it to the heavens. Scream it at the evil one. Whisper it to yourself throughout the day. Joy is abundant in this life, and living it daily is a choice. Choose it.)

I realize now that seven resolutions seems a bit daring, but what is life without a little challenge? I hope that maybe you too are motivated to create some realistic resolutions for the new year. This is the time to decide to change things that made you unhappy. End relationships and start new ones. Drop old habits and explore new hobbies. Embrace the promise of the new year. Take advantage of beginnings.

God, thank you for another year on your beautiful earth. I pray that this year, I do more than ever before to impact your kingdom. Please keep my heart sensitive to those around me this year. Let me be a light for you. I love you and I love that you have chosen to use me another year. Amen.