If you get giddy thinking about New Year’s resolutions, then you are probably a go-getter or a dreamer. (I myself am a dreamer. Resolutions put feet—very small feet—to my idealism.)
For this year’s wish list, I’m going to brush off some previous hopes and dreams and repackage them a bit.
You see, back in September, I developed my list of goals for the 101-in-1,001 project. I am happy to say that this tool has already helped me cross off some long-lingering tasks from my mental to-do list. My progress was deterred a bit toward the end of the year due to some family crises and family holiday gatherings (not one-and-the-same, thankfully!). But the list still stands, and I plan to pick it up where I left off.
The 101-in-1,001 goals are practical in nature, but not really resolution worthy. Resolutions tend to be more personal. To develop those, I am pondering some questions posed by Don Whitney at spiritualdisciplines.org. These questions were mentioned on Tuesday’s Revive Our Hearts radio program, and although I only caught a few minutes of the broadcast, I tracked the transcript online to read it in full. (It’s worth the click-over! Take a peek.)
A few of Don’s questions made an impression on me, such as:
- What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
- What habit would you most like to establish this year?
- What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?
- In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
- What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
I appreciate the gravity of these questions. I know the time it will take to reflect on where I am and where I long to be is worth the investment. But such self-analysis can make me squeamish as I see myself as I really am—a woman in need of much change and growth.
I’m going to steel myself and dig in, though, trusting in the Love that will not let me go.
