Goals for the New Year

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I have never been one for New Years' Resolutions. I have always felt that they only set you up for failure. One may resolve to lose 20+/-lbs, but there is something about January 1st that triggers cravings for anything and everything under the sun. Suddenly, all the leftover Christmas goodies look good again.... *sigh* 

But goals are an entirely different subject. Goals keep life moving, they give a sense of structure and something to strive for. My list is more like a set of tweaks to my normal lifestyle, but tweaks I am wholeheartedly diving into.

And so, I set forth these goals for the new year: 

1. Less TV. I am not much of a TV watcher, but I admit that we have more than enough shows on our DVR list. We have gone through that list and have each eliminated a few shows and are down to a few favorites. Yes, it is entertaining, but has no real value. Time is precious and I want to use it wisely.

2. More reading. In our "cutting down the TV intake" discussion, we have decided to have "reading nights." Two books and a cozy spot = a wise use of free time. I am pretty excited to expand our horizons in this area.

"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become."
— C. S. Lewis 

3. Pursue my love of photography. I'm excited to see where this takes me. I have my camera picked out, my savings fund ready to go and a whole lot of heart and passion to back it up. I know this is from the Lord and I am willing to give this an honest shot! 

4. Continue to work on balancing my passion for politics and my Walk with Christ . I fully understand that saying that out loud makes me look awful, but I will try to clarify it by saying that my passion for the state of this nation often overwhelms me and/or stresses me out/depresses me (yes, things in the nation are that bad). So rather than focus on how hopeless things are, I will strive to keep my eyes on the Big Picture; on the glory of God and His faithfulness. What is the point of being fired up over this fallen existence if my eyes are not on what is of eternal value? We are to "wake up with our Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other - and read the Bible first."

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" - Mark 8:36

5. Experiment more in the kitchen. The last five months have given me a good selection of staple meals, but I really want to shake things up. I'm ready to get back on the raw food diet after this crazy holiday season (though I can't quite accomplish that with the cold weather...) and rev up the healthy lifestyle. I got an incredible vegetarian cookbook for Christmas and I cannot wait to dive into it. (I realize the husband needs his meat, so I'll be sure to keep him fed!)

6. Become more self-sufficient. Let's face it, given the current economic situation of the nation, we could be heading toward a truly difficult time. And unfortunately, we as a people are hardly prepared. When the power goes out we barely know what to do with ourselves (you know I'm right!). While I can't exactly grow a garden and can our food in a rental, there are other ways to be less reliant on Walmart and Kroger. I just need to figure them out. *wink*

And that is all I have for now. It's only January! This is a continual process... Never stop learning. Never stop living. I'm pretty excited to see all that this year will hold! 

So, how about you? What are your goals or resolutions?