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I love this quote by C. S. Lewis. I think it is perfect any time, but especially this time of the year when we are all reminiscing over the past year and planning ahead for the new.
Since I was just a little girl, I’ve been a list-maker, a goal-setter, and a planner. I might be the very last person on earth to read the instruction manual that comes with anything mechanical or of the sort, but give me a set of pens or pencils and a planner and I will be busy for hours! I’m an old-school kinda girl, thankyouverymuch.
And this time of year, I’m plum giddy with excitement in planning ahead for the new year. And since I’m also a big believer in sharing goals with others, I thought it would be great to share!
For years, I’ve categorized my list using alliterations so that I could remember them more easily.
Faith
I put faith at the top of my list! It just sets the tone for everything for me and is a daily journey. This year, my priority is spending time each day in my Bible study.
I’ve been using the Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young for a while now and love the app on iPad as well. I have two new books planned for this next year, Beth Moore’s new book, Audacious and The Battle Plan for Prayer inspired by the Kendrick brothers’ movie, The War Room. I can’t wait!
Family
Each year we sit down as a family and decide our family goals and plans for the coming year. From making major travel plans to setting giving goals, everyone participates! It is a great way to decide our major plans/ goals for the year so that we are all working off of the same game plan. It helps us to start the year off in sync!
Once we’ve set them as a family, I love to make my own specific family-related goals, too! From waking up 30 minutes prior to the rest of the family to make mornings easier for everyone to setting specific work-related hours to decrease screen-time in the evenings.
Fitness
My focus is to continue eating well and moving more. That combination, as well as just taking good care of myself should go a long way in the new year and beyond. It should help me take care of myself so that I can take care of others for years to come!
As with anything, everything in moderation.
Fun
Laughter is an instant vacation – Milton Berle
My Daddy was one of the most fun people to be around and always had me laughing. Sometimes, so much so that I’d go to bed with my sides hurting from laughing so hard. Even at the silliest of things. His happiness was contagious!
Being around joyful people is amazing and my goal is to find ways to have fun every day – from playing more games, watching more movies, roasting more marshmallows – to serving others to make their days easier and joyful.
In general, my focus is to enjoy everyday, take care of my family, take care of others, and take care of myself.
Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault
What’s your focus for the new year?
Hi Robyn, I love your blog, and I’m jealous you get to drive around in your big rv.
But I can totally relate to your goal setting. Top of my list was lose weight! Even though I never met my goal I did learn how to eat healthy and have much more energy, which I look back and realize that was my goal. I’m 60 and don’t exercise but have the energy to stay one step ahead of my 2 teen boys and husband. I also take supplements.
Ultimately, what I did was a breakfast smoothie with everything I can pack in it for healthy foods, blueberries, yogurt turmeric cinnamon coconut milk oatmeal. Lunch is green leafy and lots of veggies either in soup or salad. Dinner I eat whatever my family eats. I feel great and its a good feeling to know I’m eating healthy. Food is medicine.
Congratulations, June! It sounds like you have found the combination that works perfectly for you! I love adding turmeric and cinnamon to dishes! And smoothies are a definite go-to around here, too!
Wishing you and your family all the best for the new year! xo
This is a very timely post. Thank you. Happy New Year. xoxo
Happy New Year to you, Mary! xo
I agree, great words, thoughts, and ideals to live by.
Oh, the pens, paper, and planner… this is my absolute favorite week of the year! For 2016 I chose “LESS” as my word to live by, and along with that, I pared my goals down a bit. I’m looking forward to having MORE of some things (like breathing room) by choosing to have LESS of others.
I love the C.S. Lewis quote, and totally agree – I plan to plan and dream without end!
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Dear Robin,
Thank you for the exciting collection of recipes you have generously shared with us over many months. You are a blessing, with a God given way of not only sharing but making us believe we too can accomplish great results…and so we do!
Blessing to you and your family , I look forward to continue growing with you in 2016.
Love,
Jen
You have just made my day, Jennifer! What a sweet way to start the day with your precious comment. YOU have certainly blessed ME! Thank you so much. xo