Friday Frivolity: New Year Priorities
Tag: New Year Resolution
Resolutions for 2014
After the debacle of my 2013 resolutions, I’m going to keep things simple this year:
1. Read the Entire Bible
I mentioned earlier that I was going to do this. I don’t really know what percentage of the Bible I’ve read. I’ve certainly covered all of the New Testament, but I’m sure there are large swathes of the Old Testament (the minor prophets in particular) which I haven’t read. It’s time that changed.
2. Get back into martial arts
If you knew me prior to the age of twenty, you’d know that back then I was martial arts crazy. Good grief, I even named my four pet gerbils “Bruce”, “Lee”, “Jackie” and “Chan”.
It’s probably because I’m getting old, but I feel a real urge to get back in contact with my teenage self. Maybe that, or I just want to hit people. Either way, I’ve enrolled at a local kung fu school and I had my first lesson on Saturday.
3. Run a marathon
I knew I’d eventually have to do this. After all, what’s a half marathon, other than 50% of a real marathon? It. Is. Time.
Obviously, I have other things I’d like to achieve this year, but these are the three on which I’m going to focus and I’ve already made some concrete steps to towards each of them.
2014? Bring it on.
Try something new!
It’s now December and time to start thinking about New Year Resolutions for 2013. Here’s a little bit of inspiration for you to try something new next year:
What new thing are you going to try in 2013? What new things do you think I should do?
Resolution Update #5
Time for a resolution update…
1. Read through the New Testament Twice
Ugh. Really bad. Total fail. I think I have to resign myself to the fact that I’m not going to achieve this one…
2. More dancing
You know what? I’m getting there! I’ve started going to a West Coast Swing club once a week, and last night I got my country on at InCahoots!
3. Be more gentle with people
Quite a few successes to report! The body count left in my wake is diminishing!
4. No sodas/fizzy drinks
I very nearly had a Root Beer by accident the other day, but I’m still going strong!
5. Get into the best shape of my life
Last month was pretty bad, but I’ve fought back and I’m back to 162lbs. C’mon, it’s now time to get serious and thing done!
6. Complete reading list
A few more books have been polished off: How To Listen When God Is Speaking and Godless Delusion. I’m currently working on Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth. I have the follow other books to complete by the end of the year:
Rediscover Catholicism – Matthew Kelly
The Path of Life – Cyprian Smith OSB
Jesus Among Other Gods – Ravi Zacharias
Philosophy For Dummies – Thomas Morris
This puts me just a little bit behind schedule.
7. Keep proper track of finances
It’s fallen off my radar a bit.
8. Tick something off my TODO list
Still good 🙂
10. Fast on Wednesday and Friday
Good stuff.
11. Give up Facebook for 40 days
I gave up Facebook for Lent. It was rather refreshing. It has certainly changed my relationship with Facebook.
12. Make an effort to dress well for Mass
I’ve done pretty well here, shaving, wearing a shirt, nice shoes etc. I have certainly been more conscious of it.
Resolution Update #4
Time for a resolution update…
1. Read through the New Testament Twice
Ugh. Really bad. Total fail. I’m moving to a new apartment this week so I’m going to try and reboot my routine.
2. More dancing
I’ve been a few times, but no, fail.
3. Be more gentle with people
Actually a few successes to report! Blessed are the meek indeed! Long may it last!
4. No sodas/fizzy drinks
Still going well. My desire for them has really diminished. On a related note, I’ve managed to stick with my two-caffeinated-beverages-a-day rule too 🙂
5. Get into the best shape of my life
Finally back on track! I was weighed when I went to the doctor’s a few weeks ago and rather horrified at my weight. I am now a man on a mission. My goals is to get my weight back to 155lbs, the weight I was when I first came to America.
6. Complete reading list
I’m a little behind schedule, but I’m at least back into a regular habit. In recent months I’ve polished off I’m not being fed!, Confessions of a Mega-Church Pastor and Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth.
7. Keep proper track of finances
I’ve actually been doing rather well here. I’m checking my bank accounts a little bit more regularly, plus I produced a flow diagram to help me understand where my money goes each month:
8. Tick something off my TODO list
Still going strong. It’s really helping.
10. Fast on Wednesday and Friday
I’ve skipped a few Wednesdays, but replaced fasting with some other kind of penance (forgoing a cup of tea, saying a rosary etc).
11. Give up Facebook for 40 days
I gave up Facebook for Lent. It was rather refreshing. It has certainly changed my relationship with Facebook.
12. Make an effort to dress well for Mass
I’ve done pretty well here, shaving, wearing a shirt, nice shoes etc. I have certainly been more conscious of it.
All in all, not bad, but I really need to make an effort with those first two!
Jesus, Friend Of Sinners
My favourite band, Casting Crowns, just released a video of a song from their new album “Come to the Well”. The song is called “Jesus, Friend Of Sinners”:
This is definitely one of my favourite songs from their most recent album Come To The Well. It has a few lyrics which I find devastating:
Jesus, friend of sinners, …we cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing…
A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided…
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
…and finally…
Nobody knows what we’re for, only what we’re against, when we judge the wounded…
It is this last line which I find the most powerful. Before hearing this song I had never really thought that when I judged someone, I was judging someone injured. We’re all wounded, of course, both by the Fall and our own personal histories.
Until I heard these words I had never really considered that when someone does something which disappoints or hurts me, it might be due to a wound which that person had previously sustained, so rather than judging and condemning that person, I should instead see him as someone in need of healing.
Over the past few months I have, on occasions, remembered this song and the resolution it inspired: Be More Gentle With People. When I have done this, and managed to set aside my indigence and anger, and tried to “look for the wound”, the results have been quite surprising. I have found my heart softened and the reservoirs of compassion and patience which I had long thought empty, refilled.
Now, if only I could remember this resolution a bit more often…
Resolution Update #3
Time for a resolution update…
1. Read through the New Testament Twice
It’s been slow moving. I haven’t been doing very well… 🙁
2. More dancing
I had been holding rehearsals for the gentlemen from Daughters Of The King and I went out Ballroom Dancing on Friday. Slowly getting back…
3. Be more gentle with people
A few big failures, but some successes too.
4. No sodas/fizzy drinks
Not touched a drop
5. Get into the best shape of my life
I didn’t get to Boot Camp in the last two weeks before Daughters Of The King, but I’ll be back on Monday. Other than that, I’ve been eating pretty well and stayed active.
6. Complete reading list
I haven’t finished my book for February, but I’m going to try and finish it this week.
7. Keep proper track of finances
I caught up with a load of paperwork the other day.
8. Tick something off my TODO list everyday
This has been going well.
10. Fast on Wednesday and Friday
I forgot one Wednesday lunchtime, but other than that, good 🙂
11. Give up Facebook for 40 days
As it was Sunday I uploaded a 200 photos from Daughters Of The King, but other than that, I’m doing okay 🙂
12. Make an effort to dress well for Mass
Still going strong.
