Laughter Does The Heart Good

Dear Lord,

So far this year I've done well.

I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help.

Amen

Even though it's a joke, I can sort of relate. With each New Year, comes a brand new start. A time to change all our bad habits, correct wrong behavior, make pledges to live better, love more, and represent Christ in all that we do. This is not a bad thing, we should examine our lives and make changes where necessary. I just think I put too much pressure on myself at the beginning of the year to have a complete makeover and I expect it to happen instantaneously. It's like I expect to wake up New Year's Day and everything will have automatically changed overnight. I will no longer crave sweets; I'll have an overwhelming desire to exercise; I'll clean up my house everyday; I'll pray & read my Bible day & night...you get the picture. Now back to reality.

I've heard it said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. That is what I do each year. I make no real plans to change my eating habits or behavior, but I want so desperately to see different results. How do I expect it to happen?

The truth is, a New Year is a new beginning to make right choices. And choices are something we make everyday, one at a time. I just need to pace myself and change a little at a time. I didn't get this way overnight, or even in one year. So why should expect to change overnight? I don't want to set myself up for failure because I want to see instant results.

So, for 2010, I am making a conscious effort to change day by day, with God's help. And when I have setbacks, I will not quit, I will just start over again from there. That is my New Year's resolution.

I pray that you all have a Happy New Year, filled with 365 days of "good choices".