New Year, New Me!

I suppose that since almost everyone is hashtagging #newyearnewme on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, it's only fitting that I do a blog post of the same name, right?  While I am still in shock that it is already 2015, I have to get myself together quickly so that I can begin capturing everything that this year has in store for me.   I do not have any real resolutions, nor do I plan to make any. You see, each year I make resolutions only to see that by April, I have made no real strides towards keeping said resolutions.  I want to do better.  I have to do better.  So, as an alternative to a New Year's resolution, I think that I'm going to set several small, short-term goals that will allow me to celebrate small victories (hopefully) and motivate me to set bigger goals. 

Here are my goals:

1.  Make it through all 21 days of the Daniel Fast without one slip up.  This will be my third time to do the Daneil Fast with my church, Greater New Destiny Christian Church.  The first year, I only lasted 7 days.  Last year, I made it 21 days, but I had a few minor hiccups here and there.  This year, my goal is to make it through the entire fast without having to ask for forgiveness for slipping a Diet Coke.  

2.  Clean out my closet.  Oh, never mind.  I've already done that!!  Go me!!!!  If you had seen my closet before, you'd totally understand my excitement.   

3.  Limit my social media interaction.  This is particularly hard for me because social media is the way that I keep up with most of my friends and family.  However, I will admit that I spend waaaaayyy too much time laughing at scrolling through posts.  Plus, there are certain things that you just can't unsee!  I learned that one the hard way. 

4.  Blog more.  I really hope that I can stick to this one because I love blogging.  Sometimes, it gets really hard to squeeze in moment to crack out a post.  I really want to publish at least once a month. Stay tuned...

5,  Make more time for me.  I definitely see more nail, hair, and spa appointments in my future.  I have to take more time to do the things that I want to do.  

Okay, that's enough for now.  I'm making myself nervous with all of these goals.  These are all realistic goals that I feel strongly that I can achieve.  In my monthly (hopefully more) blog posts, I'll keep you posted on how it goes.  Wish me luck!

 

Don't Forget to Be Kind

These days, it seems that everyone is so concerned about themselves.  We have become such a self-absorbed people, focusing only on what we can personally benefit from.  The brotherly love and genuine concern for others that was so characteristic of people long ago seem almost extinct. 

As a teacher, I stand in the halls and watch students accidentally bump into each other and never stop to say, "excuse me", even if that bump results in one or both parties dropping their books or other belongings onto the floor.  Similarly, I watch people walk into buildings and fail to hold the door open for the person entering directly behind them.  What happened to good ole' kindess?  Is it gone?

Nope!  It's not.  Just today, I was dining with three of my teacher friends at a local restaurant. (Today was teacher inservice--one of the very few and highly coveted days for teachers to bust out from the school lunchroom and have "regular people" lunch.) As we were sitting there dining, a young couple entered with their infant baby and we all drooled over the beautiful baby.

The dad was extremely proud and kept engaging in conversation with us about his new bundle of joy.  Long story short, when we finished our lunch and went to pay for our meal, I noticed my colleague whispering to the cashier.  I finally figured out that she was paying for that family's meal.  When we got in the car, I asked and she confirmed that she indeed paid for their meal.  I'm embarrassed to admit that my initial response was, "why?"  Have I become one of the heartless people who inspired this blog post?

Anyway, this one tiny act of kindness inspired me to work harder to be kind to others.  I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but if I did, being kinder to others would definitely be on my list.