Ah, yes, New Year’s Resolutions, those things half of us make and the other half mock. Much has been said about how badly people follow through on their resolutions. After all, the statistical success rate is something like -33%, which is to say that people do roughly 1/3rd worse on the things they resolve to do better on.
Solution? Instead of making up a list of New Year’s Resolutions, I made up a list of Old Year’s Resolutions, firmly resolving to have done the things I actually did last year. And guess what? I accomplished every single one of them! Woo-hoo!
OK, so not really. But I did make up a list of things I’m grateful for regarding the year just passed. And it turns out the things that mattered the most were the internal ones, like communication breakthroughs with others and with myself. And those were the things I didn’t schedule. God knew and planned for them, of course. But the only thing I could do was strive to keep my heart open and ready to respond when they happened.
There’s nothing wrong with making external plans respecting diet, career, etc., but I’ve discovered the most important “plan” I can make is to “seek first the kingdom of God” (my Creator’s active will and guidance) “and his righteousness” (his care and grace toward others). And, since it turns out God is better than anyone else at following through on resolutions, if I seek these things first, all of the other stuff, Jesus promises, “will be added” into the bargain (Matthew 6:33). And then, hey, whaddya know…
Resolutions accomplished!
Happy New Year, Mitch. What are the plans the Lord has for you. Do them.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thanks, you too, Gary.
Fab take on New Year resolutions!
Thanks, Priscilla!
Acceptance of God’s Will such a better Way than our own fallible, weak, strong-will. Happy New Year!
You too, Joy!
Everything happens for good so don’t complain about what happened rather one shall learn from his/her mistakes and focus on what’s going to happen. ✨
Is that really a MINUS 33%?
No, I was being a bit facetious with that number. But polls do show that very few people follow through on their resolutions, and many do actually go into reverse.
Oh dear, I believed you! But can imagine myself doing that kind of thing: vowing to reduce my cheese consumption and then increasing it by a third! 🤣🤣🤣
;>)
What a great idea to make a list of things to be grateful for regarding the past year! I’ll do it too, instead of continuing to complain🙏
<3
Amen!
I find that my concerns at the start of the year aren’t the same concerns at the end of the year. A bit of self reflection is good and a few fuzzy goals are good, but life has a way of upending all plans. Generally, I just start each day with the prayer, “What was I supposed to do today?” and go from there.
but I am cutting back on chocolate … well until I get to the store to buy more … 😉
;>)
As I have a long, storied history of breaking resolutions by mid-January, in recent years the only resolution I have is to have no resolutions, Mitch. Makes things a lot easier.😉
Solid plan, Bruce.
Great reminder.
Let God resolve our times. Nice post, Mitch! Happy New Year and God bless!
Thank you, Nancy, and likewise.
Every time you (or anyone) start on the “Seek Ye First” etc.. I start to sing it in my mind.
I like your intentions to first seek our Creator’s active will and guidance and His care and grace towards others. That sounds like the right plan for me! 🙂
Great, hopeful, and positive perspective as usual, Mitch. Thank you for your humor and your insights.
My privilege, Joanne.
No resolutions from me, Mitch, just a few key words to guide me. Love, laugh, write, read.
This has always been the time of year when the gym is way too crowded. But we know if we wait a couple of weeks, it’ll get back to normal. 😉
Exactly. ;>)
🥂🍾🌟
Nice post ✍️
Thank you, Satyam.
Well, I do have a God-nudged goal for the year: a solid first draft of the next Leora book by the time I turn 80 in June!
Go for it, Joy!
New Year’s resolutions are ridiculous. Just make up your mind to do something and DO IT.
One recent year I made a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish. Out of 20, I did 18; and they weren’t simple things either, they were “dream come true” things.
Rock on with your bad self, Maryanne!
The last time I made a New Years Resolution was my senior year of high school and I have kept it faithfully for 55 years: “Resolved, I will never again make a New Years Resolution.”😉
Impressive, C.A. ;>)
I watched a devotion today which really made sense. Resolutions are almost always about “ME.” If we turn the tables and think about how we can help others in the coming year, wouldn’t that be the perfect world? So, here goes. Jesus loves you, Mitch!
Aw, bless you, Kathy! And likewise (but you know that).
We may make plans and prepare to do all kinds of things however; it’s our Father, God who makes things happen.
It’s what He is doing in our hearts, changing us, healing us, delivering us and leading us to do what He created us to do.
With Him we can’t go wrong as He’s always working things out for our good!
Well written!
Thank you, Mary!
Thanks!
My answer to a new years resolution mitch when someone asks me did I make one I go sure I did my reply is simply to them I’m looking for something I cant get they look at me funny and ask what’s that I say I dont know for I’m still looking 😂
Happy New Year, Mitch. I gave up on resolutions many years ago as a lost cause. I prefer to let Jesus take me into areas He chooses for improvement as He knows me far better than I know myself. Not saying I succeed in this either, but I’m more confident that I will reach a higher level this way more quickly than making resolutions about things that may, in the long run, not even matter much in my life.
Pingback: About Those New Year’s Resolutions… – QuietMomentsWithGod
Amen!
How’s January been treating you so far? Also, very inspiring resolutions, I hope you can achieve all of them by the end of 2024.
Love the twist on resolutions! Focusing on gratitude and seeking God’s guidance is inspiring.
Pingback: New Year’s Resolutions: Two Weeks Later - Mitch Teemley