"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Maya Angelou
I have loved this quote forever, and try so hard to live up to it. Often times though, I get caught up in my own selfish desires, and put my own feelings and wants before others.
Honestly, I have never made New Years Resolutions. Never saw the point. But this year, after much contemplation, I have a strong desire to do so.
With a twist.
See, I want my resolutions to be about me, for you. I would much rather make improvements in my life that are beneficial to the people I love instead of just beneficial to me.
1. Pray more.
For others. For our nation. Spend more time focusing on lifting up family and friends in prayer then I do for my own needs. More importantly, make sure I am praying this way with my kids!
2. Reach out.
Give back to my community, one person at a time. Donate locally and buy locally. Bring up someones garbage can or bring our local police cookies. Make sure I always have change on hand to buy lemonade from the Future Business Leaders of America. (otherwise known as the adorable neighborhood kids)
3. Use a day planner.
Not only do I want to be more organized, but I want to remember others big days. Birthdays, anniversary's, events.
4. Write more.
With a pen. On paper. Send out cards and letters and teach this to my children.
5. Reduce clutter.
I find that clutter in my home is not only stressful to me, but to my family. If I can reduce the amount of 'stuff' we have, we can make more room in our lives for the important stuff! (plus if we give things to charity this can incorporate #2)
6. Blog with Integrity and Purpose.
Since my blog is an expression (extension) of me, I want to make sure that I am presenting the best possible me! I want my kids and family to be proud of my choices and words.
7. Exercise/Get Good Rest.
Really. But I want to make sure that exercising is fun... get out on hikes with the kids and take them sledding and lots of family bike rides. Not only will I get lots of activity, but I will be spending good quality time with my kids doing things they love.
8. Make meals ahead/have a schedule.
This is one thing I have never done, and I often spend a good half hour every night trying to figure out what is for dinner! And one thing that I am passionate about is having my family eat a healthy and well balanced meal.
I really got inspired by Cheryl (at tidymom.net, an amazingly beautiful and informative blog) when she submitted her mealplan to Living Locurto.
9. Make time.
I recently wrote a post about how I wanted to laugh more, listen better, and be thankful. When I think about my best friends, I think about what good listeners they are. How they offer such valuable feedback. How much I respect who they are and what they stand for. I want to make sure that they know this and feel appreciated and loved! For them, for everyone, I want to make time.
I pray that you and yours have a blessed 2011!
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