2009 Resolutions

So, I haven't been doing so well at keeping this blog updated, but I'm going to try to get back to it more regularly--if purely because it's nice to be able to look back and see what I've been thinking about and what I've done during the past weeks, months, years, etc.

There's something nice about making resolutions at the outset of the year. It just feels like I'm putting everything in order--sort of that feeling I get after doing laundry: that if only for the moment, everything in life is clean, folded, and in order, down to the last sock.

1. spend more time with God daily

• increase morning/evening devotion time to fifteen minutes--enough to spend some time reflecting on the word and praying before/after the busy-ness of rest of the day
• place reminders throughout my day to pray and invite God into the midst of my work

2. be more intentional about use of resources I've been given, including time

• Place a firmer budget for myself (last semester I spent more than I earned!); each paycheck or other deposited money will be divided in this way: 10% to my two savings subaccounts and an absolute minimum of 10% to savings. Thus, spendings in each 2-week period may not exceed the 70% of what has been earned, though it should be much less. This will definitely have a chance to be tested during this first part of the semester as I registered for the HMCC retreat and will be starting my paycheck spendings "in the negative." 
• Get a second job; apply for summer job; work on FAFSA & scholarship applications
• Do not eat out more than once a week (maybe twice during my birthday week!)
• Spend at least two hours a night doing homework (with gchat, phone & all other distractions OFF!) If this allows for ample reading, napping, etc., great. If not, that's okay because the work time will help me to stay on top of (and hopefully get ahead in) classes.
• Pray about those with whom I am in relationship with; be open to where the Spirit leads me to be a part of their lives

3. be more intentional about taking care of myself

• Sleep at least 6-8 hours a night 5+ days a week
• Join one or two Umove classes to be more intentional about exercise. It will help me to feel better about myself and give me more energy.
• No more than one dessert per meal (defined as: 1 slice pie/cake or 1 larger item or 2 smaller items (cookies, pastries, chocolate pieces, etc.)
• No fried food from halfway after 9:00
• No more than 2 snacks a day (does not include anything defined as dessert above)

4. be more intentional about how I respond to others, especially:

• how I keep in touch with friends and loved ones
• the words I say rashly, or even the thoughts I have that harm

So, hopefully if I can keep faithful to these resolutions, I can work on a lot of the areas I've been slipping on, and as a result, just feel like a much healthier, more whole person. 

Grace & Peace!