resolutions

I don't make serious New Year's Resolutions. I don't really know why. Most years I just don't think about it, and if I do, I accidentally-on-purpose forget about it within the first week or two of January.

I do have one serious "resolution" this particular year, however, which will hopefully become more of a "lifetime resolution" than a "new year's resolution": to grow toward Christ more strongly than ever. As the year comes to an end and I look back on my 2010 while those around me do the same, I see that there are a lot of blessings I could have appreciated so much more at the time if I was less focused on being stressed out! Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." If writing terrifying English essays and studying for ceaseless tests counts as labor and heavy-ladenness, I claim that promise!!

Now, for the somewhat-less-serious resolutions. . . .

1.     I'll start with the so-overused, completely-cliche one about improving my health via diet and exercise. The "diet" part will not begin on January First because I have leftover Christmas candy and my upcoming birthday to look forward to, so I probably won't start this one till the end of January. But come to think of it, by then I'll be looking toward my best friend's birthday, Valentine's day, Easter. . . . Oh, it is such a good thing I don't take these resolutions seriously!!

2.    Hmm. Although this is only number two, I think it may end up being the last, because I fail at making good, original lists, as you've probably noticed. Anyway. Since I have been growled at by so many friends, family, and acquaintances lately for my consistent references to failing, I have resolved to remark on my certainty of failure audibly only once per day. The rest must be imprisoned in my mind so I don't annoy anyone else. (I would resolve to stop predicting my failures altogether, but I would completely fail at accomplishing that, whereas this way I might have a 1% chance of success.)

So there you have it. One serious resolution and two "it-would-be-nice-but-I-can-and-probably-will-do-without" resolutions.

My goodness, I don't sound very optimistic for the new year, do I? I am, in fact, an optimist.

Really.

And if I truly stick with my serious resolution, I will undoubtedly succeed with the other two, because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). That's another good promise to hang onto this year!

"And this is your final resolve?"

[envision an angry, confident glare from Lizzy]


"Very well, I shall know how to act!"

(quotes from Lady Catherine de Bourgh when she is yelling at Lizzy for being engaged to Mr. Darcy when, in fact, Lizzy is not engaged to Mr. Darcy. Pride and Prejudice, 1995 version.)

Do you think that when half of your communication is made up of movie lines, it signifies a lack of original thinking such as that which abbreviated my list of resolutions? Hmm.

Have a blessed 2011, everyone!