New Year's Resolutions...Or Not?

Did you know that according to Forbes Magazine, only 8% of Americans claim they achieve their New Year's resolutions at the end of the year?

And apparently, only one-third of Americans even set resolutions at all.

With those odds, it's no wonder I hear people all around me say they're not bothering to make New Year's resolutions this year.

And I suppose I'm one of them.  I used to make New Year's resolutions.  I just love plotting out a shiny, new goal on paper and making a plan on how to achieve it.  But I'm afraid too often I fall into the 92% category of those who don't follow through with my beginning of the year intentions.  Which is why I have a different tactic that I use in lieu of resolutions.

I give each year a theme.  For instance, last year, going into 2013, I knew I was pregnant and I felt that my pregnancy was a true gift from God.  So, I declared 2013 to be "The Year of Good Gifts".  When I received a "good gift", I immediately associated it to the theme for the year.  It kept my focus on all of the positive, wonderful things happening in my life, even on the not-so-great days.

This year's theme is based on several verses from James.  The theme is "Count it All Joy".  Here are the verses:

"My brethern, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience; but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."       -James 1:2-4

I'm always looking for ways to make my New Year's theme practical in my life, so this year I'm doing something I've never done before.  On each day's space in my 2014 planner, I am writing down one thing that brought me joy for that day.  Then at the end of the year, I will be able to look back on any given day and read about a joyful moment!  Already, I'm feeling more satisfied with my life and I've only done this for three days!  And I find myself looking for things that will bring me joy.

So, how about you?  Do you make New Year's resolutions?  If so, I do hope you fall into the 8% that keep them this year!

If you don't "resolve"to do anything this year, how about coming up with your own theme for 2014? If you already have one, please share, either in the comments below or on my facebook page! Looking forward to hearing from you!

Two Little Things

There are two little things that I really enjoy...

The first is a blank new planner (yes, an actual paper one that you write in) that has never been used.  There is a certain excitement I get from seeing those beautiful white pages on January 1st and wondering how I'm going to fill them this year.  Will I go on an exotic trip?  Will I sing in an unexpected place?  Will I add new students to my music studio?  I never know.  But I do know that it's up to me to take the next 365 days and fill them with a life well-lived and well-loved.

The second thing I love is a planner that has been completely used.  I love to go back each year on January 1st and look at my previous year's planner and see all of the things I accomplished.  It gives me hope that I am capable of much more than I originally thought.

In 2013, these are a few of the things I experienced as evidenced in my planner:

-Directed my first high school musical, School House Rock Live!
-Judged Senior high soloists at Fine Arts
-Finished writing my book, Ten Weeks to a Better Voice
-Found out I was having a son
-Sang with Israel Houghton
-Took a much needed vacation with my hubby to Washington DC.
-Cleaned out a guest room and turned it into a nursery (with lots of help!)
-Ran a successful music studio during the summer
-Landed a new teaching job while seven and a half months pregnant
-Had two beautiful baby showers in KY and FL
-Wrote my son a lullaby
-Delivered my son (no small feat!)
-Traveled to and from KY with my infant
-Became a mom

It's amazing to look back on one year as a whole and see how much I've been able to accomplish.  I admit that staring 2014 in the face seems a little daunting, but I believe I will look back on this year and find that I've accomplished even more than I did in 2013.

That's why I love January 1st.  The sky's the limit.  If there's something I want to do, a new goal I want to reach, I know it's up to me to make it happen.

There is a little book that I read that has this title:

Now it's your turn to complete the sentence.  "This year I will..." Say aloud the first thing that pops in your head even if it sounds impossible or audacious.

What will you do with the next 365 days?  Remove the limits off of your life and get ready for new experiences and unexpected adventures!
Happy New Year!