I purpose to...

This is the time of the year when most of us think about new year’s resolutions.  It becomes the topic of a lot of conversations as well as blog posts.  It seems as though many people have some wonderful ideas about their own resolutions that can provide deeper reflections about our own.  Each of us has our own special suggestions based upon our individual experiences over the past year.  Resolutions can be fun to share, but they can make us feel somewhat uncomfortable.  We can easily fall prey to the “comparison” game which is not very uplifting.  All of a sudden old man guilt appears and he sends us down a slippery slope of negative feelings with no happy ending.

For example, traditional resolutions can be full of expectations, that after awhile, we fall short of succeeding.  You know the drill—- Better eating, weight loss, younger looking body, getting more rest, less crazy work hours etc, etc, etc.  Resolutions tend to drain us of our energy in many ways and leave us feeling “less than”.     This isn’t helpful.  Expectations of others or those we make upon ourselves also send us down a negative slope of disappointment.   This doesn’t serve us well at all.  

So, I am going to offer another way of looking into the new year that is upon us.   As much as I would like to take credit for thinking of this I cannot.   However, it inspired me last year and worked out beautifully.  

My inspiration comes from one of my favorite Christian authors, Ann Voskamp.   She proposes a fresh outlook upon the resolutions idea.

She likes to use the key word “purpose” which seems to offer a different perspective.  She calls it “SOULutions”.

Her idea is to say

In the year ——- I purpose to... fill in the blanks.  

Embrace

Engage

Be

Believe

Break

Daily

Do 

Let go

Learn 

Live

Give

Grow

I put mine on a 5x7 card and framed it.  I refer to it frequently, and it can remind me of my thoughts and actions in reference to what I wrote. 

I feel these words guide us into more of a year’s journey and process more than having hard and fast rules of do’s and don’ts.   

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year and my you live with gratitude and joy in your hearts.  

Miracles in our muddled messes

“‘Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la, la la la la”!   Well, maybe not all the time.  Can you relate?  Sometimes our emotions are not all happy and joyful and jolly this time of year.  We may be carrying heavy burdens that certainly aren’t apparent to others.  Invisible difficulties may or may not be shared.  Between the hype of the season’s commercialism and all the expectations surrounding it, true Joy and Hope can seem a bit illusive at times.  

Maybe we are searching for a special, hidden miracle right in the middle of our muddled mess.  This Advent season finds us waiting and watching...

Maybe we can be extra kind to the weary store clerk who just needs a simple smile.  How about slowing down a bit from the frantic rush and breathe. Breathe in the beauty of the Christmas tree lights twinkling.   Could we listen to a friend or family member who needs a kind ear with no intent to “fix” a problem?  Breaking away from the normal routine and stepping out to enjoy a fun activity of the season might just cheer us up!  Better yet, ask a loved one to join!

May this sacred season of celebrating the Hope of the Incarnation be upon all of you.  

May your hearts be filled with Peace and Joy that the world cannot give.   

May you discover a miracle within your muddled mess.  

Merry Christmas.