It's That Time Again...

Loved this comic! Yes, it's that time again - a New Year and new commitments to a BETTER ME! Although I agree with the grandson...seems easier if others would make those changes instead! But there are the things I need to work on this year for a BETTER ME.

I know that if I write them down, I am more likely to make the commitments!
So here they are - in writing:

Being, as my dad liked to say, Plenty-nine,

I need to make some changes for Healthy Living.

You know ~ all the usual things;

I need to eat healthier and exercise more and

pay closer attention to my blood sugar levels

and my MS symptoms.

So I commit to a new, sensible diet.

I commit to simple things like

stretching and walking and using my cycler.

I commit to testing my blood sugar and

getting the check-ups that I need.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

I seem to have a habit of judging others...and that's something I need to change.

So I commit to keeping an open mind and heart.

I commit to seeing the heart of a person.

I commit to dropping prejudices and hatreds.

I commit to listening quietly and patiently.

Romans 14:13 "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in another's way."

Oh yes! I need to make sure my words are sweet!

I commit to refrain from profanities...definitely NOT sweet words!

And I commit to not snapping at the people I love the most!

I commit to not talking about others ~ you know that ugly word ~ gossip!

I commit to keeping the good memories and letting go of the hurts.

James 1: 19 – 21 "Remember this, my dear friends: be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to rouse your temper; God’s righteousness is never served by one’s anger; so do away with all the impurities and bad habits still left in you – accept and submit to the Word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. "

I want to be more kind and loving.

Guess this one goes with the commitment above ~

So I commit to being as kind and loving to others as I can be.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

I need to remember there are no guarantees about the future. Things change so quickly and I can never go back.. Life doesn't have a "rewind," only a "pause" and a "forward." So I commit to making sure each and every day counts!

James 4:14 - "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that is here for a little while and then disappears. "

"Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles." M.D. Babcock

And many are the blessings in my life! So I commit to not only counting those blessings, but to sharing them with others!

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18 - "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I love the "Mirror Prayer" and its very simple...You place a favorite little picture of Jesus near the mirror you use first thing in the morning. Then you say, "Lord, may I reflect YOU to all who see me today."

I commit to reflecting the Light of Christ each and every day.

Psalm 27:1 - "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; of whom shall I be afraid?"

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So these are the things I will work on as the New Year progresses. I will work on them a few at a time; but I will work on them all the time! To this I commit...

What are your plans?