New Year Focus

It’s hard not to look back and see everything that didn’t get accomplished in 2008, but since I try hard to be a glass-half-full kinda gal, I will state for the record that many things DID get accomplished. So they weren’t always things we expected.

I’ve been sick for a week, but it’s time to try to focus forward. Focus isn’t easy right now. The whole family is sick, to one degree or another. We’re not going to make it to church today. I AM going to get my goals chosen so that, to one degree or another, I can start working toward reaching them. I LOVE this quote by Pres. Benson -

"Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short-and-long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up. Some will be continuing goals. Each week when we partake of the sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, of always remembering Him and keeping His commandments. Of Jesus' preparation for His mission, the scripture states that He 'increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man; (Luke 2:52). This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social" (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 383-384).

I’m using this thought to give myself a focus that won’t overwhelm. I’m setting four simple goals of the continuing kind. When each one becomes a solid habit, I’ll set a new goal in that area:

Spiritual -– favor with God
Spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day feasting on the scriptures.

Mental -– wisdom
Spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day in a twaddle-free book.

Physical -– stature
Spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day moving!!

Social -– favor with man
Spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day decluttering to get rid of the C.H.A.O.S. – (“Can’t have anyone over syndrome”)

One hour a day, fifteen minutes at a time. I can do that.