"We are travellers…not yet in our native land" – St. Augustine
Oh my…
Esssh…
This wasn’t a good year, was it? I mean, the very fact that my last resolution update was in February really speaks volumes. Honestly, I don’t know what happened. “Wait!”, I hear you cry, “Nobody ever keeps their resolutions!” Well, I do…well, normally I do. I’ll typically make about ten resolutions and I’ll usually keep 70% of them and at least make some headway on the others.
Okay, let’s get this over with…
Resolution update time!
Resolution #1. Go dancing at least once a week.
I’ve done reasonably well on this one, doing a load of swing and a little bit of salsa.
Resolution #2. Check bank statements once a week.
Utterly failed. Only checked it once. C’mon man!
Resolution #3. Complete Reading List
So far I’ve finished The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity, Problem of Pain,
The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks. I’m about a 50% through After Jesus, 30% through Every Man’s Journey and 10% through both Confessions and Hold Me Tight.
Resolution #4. Give up Facebook for Lent
It’s not Lent yet 🙂
Resolution #5. Guard free time more jealously
I’ve done pretty well at this and I’ve also managed to do a Holy Hour each week (even if I did get kicked out of the Adoration chapel a few days ago!). I had an hour-long massage this week. Things have been a little stressful and I’ve been really glad about the extra “margin” in my life 🙂
Resolution #6. Invest more time in friendships
Had several hang outs with friends who I haven’t seen in a while.
Resolution #7. Blacklist TV Shows
Blacklisted shows have remained blacklisted. I’m still spending more time in front of the TV than I would like though.
Resolution #8. Run a half marathon and do a 15 minute plank
I’m currently up to a 10 minute plank. I also signed up for the Warrior Dash in April.
Resolution #9. Cook a proper meal once a week
I’ve only done some proper cooking for two out of the four weeks. I need to be a bit more disciplined about this.
Resolution #10. Write the book
I haven’t done any more work on it yet, but I’m trying to clear out the “Drafts” folder of my blog first.
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!