A New View on New Year's Resolutions

                             
I don't like new year's resolutions.  I never have had one that I can remember.  Oh, I love to change things I don't like about myself and my life, but not via new year's.  I do like the concept of a new year, a new you, a new beginning, but it isn't really the case.  We have a new day, a new hour, a new minute, a new second, a new moment to make a change.  God gives us that.  If I want to do something different, I change right then.  The comment "I am going to start working out on January 1"  "I am going to start eating healthy January 1"  I am going to stop smoking January 1" makes me want to lay down and convulse.  What a daunting task to start something on a certain date.  December 31 is your last supper?  Your last day to be lazy?  Your last drag on a cigarette?  How depressing.  If I have a bad eating day I say, "I am going to start now to eat healthier."  That way I never fall completely off the wagon.  I may drag a leg off the wagon but never fall off.  It is much easier to start doing better now than to feel like you have set a date to start.

So, no new year's resolutions for me.  A resolution is a "pie in the sky" idea with no real measurable criteria.  A goal is better I think.  A goal set has measurable criteria.  Goals can be started anytime.  For example, I have a goal to eat less sugar starting right this moment.  I am going to go to bed tonight without any dessert.  Measurable, and in the morning I can be proud of myself for success.  You can apply this to any goal you may have for yourself.

Here is the goal I have for 2014.  I am going to spruce up my kitchen wares by purchasing a new item for my kitchen once a month for the year 2014.  Let's face it, when you have been married a while, your kitchen stuff that you got when you got married wears out and you need new.  And, you may have a few things that you always wanted but you never spent the money on.  Like a trifle bowl.
 I have always wanted one, but never spent the money on one.  One month in 2014 I am going to purchase myself a trifle bowl.  I got a head start on January.  I bought an immersion blender for myself.  I LOVE it!  I would have never bought one for myself had I not had this goal for 2014.
With an immersion blender, you can blend things in a cup or bowl without having the messy cleanup of a regular blender.  You can make milkshakes, smoothies, cream corn, and a host of other things with one.

Also on my list are a set of ramekins to make mini meatloaves and pies in, a new set of quality measuring cups and spoons, a new frying pan, new dish towels, and an apple peeler and corer.

I am super excited about my goal for 2014.  My kitchen will be more fun to cook in after I spruce up the contents this year.  What are your goals for the new year?  Let me know, I am interested!  I may have to join you and make your goals mine too :)

As you are thinking about 2014, please remember to invite me to speak at your event.  I can speak on your topic or mine.  Visit my website to see the list of developed topics that I have available.  www.funthoughtsonlife.com

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Thank you for making my 2013 special.  I hope and pray that something I have said or done has given you strength for another day.

Happy New Year!
Jennifer