We always talk about New Year's Resolutions and how most people, as they grow older, stop making them because they feel like by the end of January there's not going to be a point to them anymore, etc. etc. I think that kind of attitude is probably why people don't really accomplish them in the first place, you know? The only way you're going to be doomed for failure is if you don't even try. With that in mind, I think it's important that we all change our attitudes about goal setting and accomplishing those goals and dreams, before we can ever actually motivate ourselves to do them.
The first time I ever sat down and contemplated the things I wanted to change about myself or my behavior, and actually took the time to write them down afterward, was on my mission. I know that there are a lot of reasons why Heavenly Father needed me to serve a mission, but one of the absolute biggest ones, was He needed me to change. The goals that I set were a lot more mission-minded, obviously, but that doesn't deter from the fact that they were all things that I needed to realize and change about myself.
Since coming home I've set a few goals, but have not been super good about writing them down or actually following through with them, which has been a little diappointing. For those of you that regularly read my blog, you remember how incredibly busy I was last semester, sometimes so much so that it was just plain overwhelming. I think that being busy doesn't always mean we're accomplishing something worthwhile. Heavenly Father never intended for us to be so busy that we never have time for Him. Luckily I was able to figure that out soon enough to make reading my scriptures a priority, even if it was at 6 in the morning. He blesses us for the little sacrifices we make in His behalf, or in other words, in order to keep His commandments.
Since coming back up to Rexburg this semester, I have moved into a new apartment with Jessica and 3 other roommates, I have my own room, and I have received the calling of FHE group leader for my apartment, along with one from the guys, and one from the other girls' apartment. This semester I am off track and have pretty much the entire morning to myself before I go to work. It's been nice to relax a little, especially after last semester, but I've also been able to accomplish a lot of goals, which is making me really happy. And since I haven't written down yet what my goals are I guess I'll just list them right here:
1. Be Healthier
>Excercise Mon-Sat for at least 30 mins
>Cut down portion size
>Drink more water
>Lessen snacks/no junk food
>Prepare to enter a 5k by the end of this year
2. Become More Spiritual
>Read and study my scriptures for at least 30 mins per day
>Study upcoming lessons
>Incorporate Preach My Gospel
>Attend the temple at least once a week
>Apply to become a temple worker
>Follow promptings
>Attend institute
3. Become More Service Oriented
>Pray for service opportunities
>Actively search out opportunities to serve others
>Make visiting teaching more than just a thing to check off
>Follow every prompting
>Go above and beyond at work
4. Become a Better Me
>Read my scriptures every day to be in a good mood
>Study the Christlike attributes and pick one a week to work on
>Practice/Excercise my talents
-Piano
-Singing
-Public speaking
-Blog writing
>Help out around the apartment/help my roommates
>Surrond myself with positive and uplifting things and people
Those are the main focuses this year with the ideas of how I am going to accomplish them. They're not going to be easy, but it's definitely possible. And with God's help, they're nearly non impossible. It's fantastic. This year is the year to apply everything that He had me learn on my mission, and to really, actively focus on allowing me to become the best me I can possibly be. The Lord has a plan for me, and although, at times, ok, most of the time, I don't know what that plan is or what He has in store for me now, I know that it's important to keep on keeping on. In other words, I need to keep trusting in Him and put Him first in all things I do. I know if I do this that His promises will be fulfilled. I don't know when, and although I want them to happen now, I understand that God's timing is everything, and I need to just keep doing what He's asked of me.
I have an interview this Tues. with the temple presidency to become an ordinance worker. I started feeling that that was something I needed to do towards the end of last semester, especially being off track this sesmester. I felt more strongly about it when I attended Stake Conference and one of the counselors in the temple presidency encouraged all of us that were endowed to volunteer or become ordinance workers. I told my parents that as soon as I got back up here I would schedule an interview with my bishop. Then when I received my father's blessing before leaving to come back up here, I was once again reminded of working there. As soon as I talked to him he was more than happy to help. He interviewed me, sent me to the stake presidency's office, and submitted the application right away. I hadn't heard anything until last night when they called me to schedule my interview with them. I cannot even begin to express how excited I am that this is actually happening. It's something that I have felt strongly that I need to do, and I can't express my gratitude enough that God has helped me to be worthy and ready to follow another call to serve. I can't wait to be able to serve in the House of the Lord.
