Enjoy a humorous take on the challenge of making New Year’s resolutions and our tendency to be overly ambitious with our goal setting.

*This is an older, but popular post from my early days of blogging in 2010.

The Lighter Side of Making Resolutions

Before January completely gets away from me, I want to get my brain around some goals and resolutions for this year. Pre-occupied with other things-I don’t remember what exactly-I gave a momentary thought to making a few New Years Resolutions. The trouble with momentary thoughts is they don’t go too far. They don’t last long, and they rarely accomplish much. One year I was very organized with my resolutions, writing them on a white board. Proud of my good intentions, I posted them in a prominent place–the fridge. Lose, not loose–you get the jist on #1!

You can see I’m getting just a little carried away with my New Year’s Resolutions. Winning the Nobel Prize might be a bit of a reach…

Have you ever noticed how easy it can be to get a tad over zealous when it comes to all of the great things you want to accomplish on that magical date when the calendar turns from December to January? For a brief period of time, any thing seems possible. The sky is the limit…and then…

You either forget all about your lofty goals.

Or…you fall smack down, face plant into reality.

Yes indeed, resolutions can be tricky things.

One day, I passed by an unusual sign with a sale I can’t afford to miss. When we lived in Okinawa, Japan, I laughed aloud when I drove past this sign. This is the sale of the year for those that find themselves challenged when it comes to successful resolutions.

Now that is a novel idea for making money. Such a funny way to look at New Year’s resolutions! If you can’t make them, you can buy those pesky resolutions…and on sale no less. This is great for those of us who are a little behind on the whole make-yourself-better-resolution thing.

I have a few questions about this:

• Do you buy them one at a time or do they come in a multi-pack?
• Will they need batteries to make them work?
• Do they come in sizes, or are they one size fits all?
• Is there any maintenance, care, or feeding involved?
• Is assembly required?

Do the sale resolutions come with a money back guarantee? If so, I will hop on this deal right away. It is hard enough to say…lose 15 pounds…but a money back guarantee…I just might be interested.

If these resolutions are on sale, does that mean these are the ones no one wanted? Things like, I will read the dictionary every day and eat 5 servings of vegetables. Useful things like take up tidily-winks ( I am pretty sure no one under the age of 80 plays that anymore).

Do I really want to spend my hard-earned cash on reject or leftover New Year’s Resolutions? What good is that actually going to do me? Not much.

It is Not Too Late

So, whether you do it the old fashioned way or buy them on sale, it is not too late to consider some goals or resolutions for this year. (You see, I am familiar with this procrastination strategy–if it is after the first of January, you are off the hook to make any resolutions.) And for those of you who have made resolutions and already let them go by the wayside, pick those babies back up and stick with it. We just might be better for it:)

Once we get those resolutions nailed down, here’s a few thoughts to tuck into your pocket:

Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

More posts to start your year:

•  Simple Habits to Nurture a Balanced Life This New Year
• 10 Life-Changing Bible Verses to Inspire Hope This Year
• 5 Tips to Reset Healthy Habits for Spirit, Soul & BodyA Little Fun with New Year’s Resolutions
• How to Find Fresh Faith for Your New Year
• Some Thoughts on New Year’s Resolutions
• Make Today’s Goals from Yesterday’s Lessons

What is one of your New Year’s Resolutions? 

Discover the Power of Small, Faithful Choices

Start your year with practical ways to grow in faith right where you are. Holy in the Moment! is filled with encouragement, real-life stories, and simple steps to help you walk in holiness every day. Grab your copy today and discover how small, intentional choices can draw you closer to God.