2011...

Ok. So I have been thinking a lot about the new year. It is always exciting to set new goals for changing aspects of our lives.  And for the most part, easy to start.  However, when we suffer a set back of some kind or another and fall short of our goals, it can be very stressful.  Which can often lead to set backs in other areas we are trying to change as well.  I found myself thinking and praying the other night and the idea of "Do Better," came to me. Simple. We can all "do better" in nearly all areas of our lives.  Whether finance, eating habits, exercise habits, prayer & meditation, organization, relationships, volunteering....the list goes on and on.  I am hoping that by simply trying to do better in these areas rather than meeting an "all or nothing" mark,  I will stay focused on the big picture and have a more positive and productive outcome.  By taking "chewable bites" rather than a whole plate full. The idea of saying:

Positive:  "I exercised more this whole year, doing it here and there, than I have in years past!"

VS

Negative: "I only made it 3 months exercising 4 days a week. Then I dropped off to only 2 days a week. And when things were really crazy I didn't even get to it."

     ~OR~

 Positive:  "I reduced our overall debt this year! We owe less than we did at this time last year!"

 VS

Negative:  "I was going to be debt free by the end of the year, but didn't get one bill paid off and then had to repair___"

     ~OR~

Positive:  "I cut out so much junk food this year. Instead of nearly every evening at home, I only had it once or twice a week."

VS

Negative:  "I was going to cut out all junk food, but I didn't make it. We went out on a date and I had to have the cheesecake...then we were at a birthday party and there was homemade ice cream I had to try. And there were a few times I had a treat in the evening."

So here's to a year of doing better! I can't wait!