Resolutions – It’s Not Too Late!
Let’s face it – New Year’s resolutions sound like a great idea but we have a hard time sticking to them. We get excited about a fresh start or reviving past goals we didn’t quite meet, then life happens. We get off-track and we think we have missed our opportunity to make that goal. Research even suggests that the average New Year resolution doesn’t usually last into the spring. But they are still worth striving for!
Setting goals is an admirable action and shows that we have hope and belief in ourselves to make change. Resolutions and the thought of starting over is reminiscent of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We renounce sin, ask for forgiveness, resolve to do better and are blessed with a fresh start. God’s graces are then available for us to take advantage of to make those desired changes.
Prayer
Beginning with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, look at several areas where small, attainable changes can be made. With a spirit of humility we can ask that our resolutions be in accord with God’s Will for us. Looking at our desire for change as rooted in building virtue, we will have the power and graces of the Holy Spirit assisting us!
Charity
Ask where in our lives we can act with more charity. Making amends with family and donating time and talent to a worthy ministry are a place to start. Make goals specific (I will call my mom every Sunday evening or We will work at the food pantry every third Wednesday) and be sure they’re in line with your family’s values. By putting specific actions on our calendar, we’ll be more likely to check them off the list rather than skip them!
Self-Control
This virtue covers all those health and well-being goals we may have. Self-control helps us make good decisions and stick to them. Instead of saying “I will eat more healthy meals,” be more intentional. On Saturday morning, make a weekly menu, shop accordingly, and sit down at 6pm each night with the family for meals. We can have our workout bag in the car, ready for those Monday, Wednesday, Friday afternoon workouts that we have blocked out on the calendar.
Responsibility
Caring for our family and fulfilling our duties toward them can encompass many goals. Scheduling those deferred home maintenance projects, developing a weekly chore chart, or making that brunch with your pre-teen daughter a monthly event, are the types of goals best accomplished when specific and scheduled. Renewing your commitment to chart your fertility signs daily may mean downloading the PeakDay App on both husband and wife’s phones so you can encourage each other and share the responsibility.
More Motivation
- Matt Ingold offers more inspiration for pursuing your goals with God in his article at Metanoia Catholic.
- Dave Ramsey, dedicated Christian, best-selling author, and personal finance expert offers a free Goal Tracker Worksheet for recording and tracking your goals.
- Amanda Teixeira, owner of WalletWin, sells full-color Catholic planners and calendars so you can make plans that protect your values, visions and dreams.
It may be late in January, or even July, but it is never too late to desire and achieve change. Looking at our resolutions with the eyes of developing virtue and asking the Holy Spirit to accompany us may be the tweak (and supernatural strength) we need to fulfill our resolutions.
Written by Martha Haenni, Marketing Events + Content Editor for CCL. For more articles on a wide variety of topics, go to our Blog page and use the Search Bar.