For the past decade or so, I’ve enjoyed casting a New Year’s Resolution. The resolution is not anything I tell others about or anything really big, but one or two things that shape my everyday life to be a little more like I want it to be in the long run. This blog and many of the early articles are the result of a resolution about 10 years ago! I really enjoyed Mavis Butterfield’s 12 Goals for 2016 this past year. She weekly updated her progress, and I can imagine she must feel amazing looking back over her year. So, I’m flat-out copying her. Perhaps you’ll enjoy my journey as much as I enjoyed hers?

10 Goals

1)  Hike to 12 new places.

My resolution last year was to move for at least 15 minutes each day (see #3). I really enjoyed my short walks which became longer walks, and got a taste for being all alone in the forests surrounding my beautiful city. I want to explore some of the famous destination hikes around me.

2)   Fix my teeth. 

This was on my list last year, but it got bumped to fix my daughter’s teeth. Invisalign, here I come!

3)    Move at least 15 minutes a day.

I sit and read or work at the computer a lot. My heart (the muscle, not the emotion) begs me to move more! This was on my list last year.

4)    Complete 12 house/yard projects. (nod to Mavis)

This week, I asked Stephen to complete the under-layment for our master shower and complete the trim for the window and doors. We were wanting to prepare for the tiled walls, but have decided to subcontract the tile work in the shower first. He has to waterproof it first. Stephen was supposed to leave the painting of the trim for me, but he finished that too. I’m counting Stephen’s work toward this goal as well, since the goal is to get some never-ending projects completed.

5)    Learn how to needle felt and create 25 sculptures. 

I asked for a simple needle felting kit for Christmas. Thanks MIL!

6)    Submit 6 articles for publication.

This should be easy. Not.

7)   Complete writing a 12-week Bible study.

This one was on my resolution list last year and it didn’t get much traction. I’m overwhelmed on how to start.

8)   Connect with one person a week.

I am home alone with my nose in a book or a computer screen. I tend toward crankiness and am usually easily annoyed. I often contemplate that I am just not a nice person. Hah! So, to combat my tendency to be a cantankerous hermit, I hope to begin starting conversations with strangers or intentionally talking with friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Its not a stretch to say this is my least favorite goal and the one most likely to be unmet.

9)   Complete 12 credits toward MDiv.

I am completing my Master’s degree at a sloth’s pace. So far, it has taken me 3 years to complete 1 year. Two reasons for this: time and money. This past year, time hasn’t really been a problem, so I could crank up my course load to two classes per semester, but I refuse to go into debt. So, this goal is contingent on my budgeting skills in finding the tuition money to fund 12 credits this year. I am enrolled for 6 credits this spring, tuition paid in full. Halfway there!

10)   Practice 12 spiritual disciplines.

This is a Bible blog, after all.

I will be re-reading Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, and practicing a different discipline (chapter) each month of the year. January is Bible Intake. I’ll be simply reading a chapter from 2 Kings, Proverbs and Hebrews this week. I say simply reading, because I tend to rabbit trail off into a study and then an hour is gone. I want to just read and meditate.

I’ll leave you with a quote from Donald Whitney about the reason to practice the Spiritual Disciplines.

The greatest danger of neglecting the Spiritual Disciplines is the danger of missing God – forever; not because personal piety earns anyone a place in heaven, but because it characterizes those who are on their way there. (p. 16)

So those are my twelve goals this year! Follow along to see how I do.