Looking Forward

Although it can be a bit tiresome or predictable to create new list of resolutions each year, I have realized something about myself . . . if it's not written down, it probably isn't going to happen.  I can talk about my goals (plans, ambitions, dreams, resolutions, etc.) until I am tired of hearing my own voice, but there is something about the accountability of something written on a piece of paper or digital document that causes the goal to gain importance.

Of course we can set goals any time of the year, but there is something almost magical about the beginning of a New Year that gives us hope regardless of our previous track record.  We should actually make goal setting a regular part of our lives.  Here are just a few categories to think about as you get started:  1. Health (physical and spiritual), 2. Relationships, 3. Professional, and 4. Personal.

Here is a Team Night message that I had the opportunity to share with our team recently.  It's a gift from us, for you and your worship team!

AUDIO - LOOKING FORWARD

Challenged By Mr. Turtle

I feel challenged!  I am not a prolific writer, or reader, or much of anything else I suppose.  I have a demanding job and work a considerable number of hours each week.  After the workday has ended I have limited time left in the day to play with my kids, have meaningful conversations with my wife, eat a meal, catch up on a good book (or more likely, my favorite television show), and potentially head to bed in search of the elusive eight.

When I take a moment to reflect on my life, I most certainly have had seasons of intense focus.  Times when I have devoted numerous hours attempting to master a single skill or understand a relationship . . . practicing an instrument, studying a topic, dating my wife.  

But that is not where I am today!  Today I carry many different titles, both earned and handed to me.  Today I find it difficult to even think of spending loads of hours practicing, creating, writing, reading, watching, working, engaged in a single activity.  Are you anything life me?

We are at the very beginning of a New Year.  So many possibilities, so many goals to set, so many dreams to dream, places to go, meals to experience, and people to meet.  Truthfully, the idea is daunting and I would much rather take a nap!  Sidenote: we all respond a bit different to stressors in our lives.  Some of us get psyched up, grab the bull by the horns, and absolutely obliterate ourselves trying to tick all the boxes on the checklist.  When I am faced with overwhelming odds, I would rather take a nap.  On the positive side . . . I will be much better rested than those of you out there busting your tails!  I digress.

This is what I have learned through observation over the last several years:

1. The people in my life that I admire . . . they are the ones with goals and plans for their lives.  They didn't get there by accident, they had a dream, submitted it to God, and started walking.  Remember that story about the Tortoise (Mr. Turtle) and the Hare?  I don't intend to be cliché . . . but slow and steady truly does make a difference! 

2. Most of them didn't get there by sprinting.  Notice how I used "walking" at the end of my first point?  I am a results oriented individual.  I like to see things change, but I am beginning to really understand that what I do today will influence where I am next year.  I have often laughed at the idea of a "ten-year plan" . . . but I starting to see the sense.

So, with that out of the way, I want to be transparent and share a few small steps that I am going to take in order to start walking towards the dreams I want!

• Writing - Here I am . . . I am putting it in my schedule, time to write.  My goal is to "publish" 24 blog entries this year.
• Friendships - I have NOT been a good friend.  I have written down a list of fourteen friends both near and far that I want to connect with intentionally at least once per month via text, email, note, or in person.
• Eliminate "seconds" at meals.  This will force me to think about portion size, and hopefully create better long-term habits.

Here is my first step towards a dream.  A single step, walking in a specific direction.  Where are you headed?  I assure you, if you haven't thought about the destination and don't care where you end up, then it makes no difference where you take your first step.

Reminds me of a conversation written by Lewis Carroll between Alice and the Cheshire Cat:

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"  "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.  "I don't much care where--" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

Carroll, Lewis (1997-05-01). Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (p. 42). Public Domain Books.