Resolved? Perhaps . . . .

Resolutions.
We resolve.
We succeed for about a week.
We give up.
We set ourselves up for failure.
So, perhaps, setting goals is better.

But before I jump from the frying pan into the fire, I like to define the terms, literally.

Resolve, according to dictionary.com, means: to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something); to convert or transform by any process; to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate.

Goal, aside from points scored in soccer or lacrosse, is defined as the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end; the terminal point in a race.

While I have made an earnest decision about some things in my life, things about myself I would like to transform or even disintegrate, I have aims, ends to which I am directing my efforts, things I would like to achieve.

I, will, therefore, not resolve to do anything but rather set up goals for myself. And they are as follows:

*Waste
I throw away food, far too much.  I spend way too much time on the computer goofing off, following rabbit trails and being generally unproductive.  I use too much shampoo and laundry detergent.  I don't reuse things that probably could be.  I'm not trying to reduce my carbon footprint or anything remotely close to that.  I just don't want to be as wasteful in this New Year as I was.  This goal can be met easily.  Freeze food in smaller portions and don't leave it in the refrigerator.  Set limits for myself on the computer, knowing some days will be better than others.  Use half a squirt of shampoo instead of a whole pump.

*Reading
I am, sadly, characterized by leaving books unfinished, especially in my book club, as you can tell by the side bar.  For someone who loves to read, it's a wonder this is a problem.  If I am reading, I'm not on the computer and I've met two goals at once.  At the end of the year, if all the books started are finished, then my goal has been met.

*Prayer
In this area, I would like to be more deliberate and intentional.  I would like to spend more time in the prayer closet, on my face before the Throne of Grace.  My life needs it but more importantly, the lives of my husband and children need it even more and, unfortunately, I have been negligent in this.

*Health
The past year and a half, I have been on an incredible weight loss journey.  I have eaten better,  exercised more, and been more active since.  I still have quite a few more pounds to go.  Walking is my preferred method of exercising; however, I realize my body and my brain need different.  I plan on doing yoga, spending some time shredding with Jillian and even running <gasp, wheeze>.  Lately I've been doing some interval training where I alternate walking and running.  The running part hasn't been that difficult, yet.  Maybe entering a 5K is in my future - I'm open to that and sometimes the hardest part about making life changes is just to be open to them!

The thing is, I know that some days are going to be 100% days but I also know that some days won't even be close to 1%.  Perhaps, that's really the overarching goal - to give myself more grace, to be more forgiving of my own mistakes and to have realistic expectations.