here's to the new year...

I can't get too far along in the new year without commenting at least a bit on it... For those that have taken the poll about resolutions you might guess that I have a slight affinity for the things. Last year I made one of the few new year's resolutions that I can remember, and I actually kept it. I made a resolution to start running again after a 6 year lay-off and to run a race. Both of which I did. I was pretty amazed with myself... not to be too cocky or anything, I mean resolutions are made to be broken right? Or maybe it's rules... Anyway, I did and now I have decided to make one or two for 2008.

But the question is, what is it that makes some resolutions attainable and others seemingly out of reach? What is it that causes one person to lose the weight or quit smoking or take up exercising and another person to fail? I don't think it's rocket science, but it is not as easy as tapping into sheer willpower or employing a zen-like outlook on the problem.

I think one of the best things to do is to set a goal that has an end point that isn't too far off. This might seem like cheating but who cares, I mean it's your resolution. When I set out to start running again I had a race in mind that I wanted to run in March, not the end of the year... that way I had a sense of accomplishing a goal before I had fulfilled my resolution. Once I did that I knew I could keep running the rest of the year. Another thing I did was I told people what I planned on doing... I mean a lot of people... Last year I did a sermon on New Year's Eve and revealed to the whole audience my resolution to start running again. There were probably 500 people. As soon as it was over I knew I had to accomplish it.

Look, I don't mean to come across as a pompous, holier-than-thou, look-at-me-and-what-I-did type of person, but I know that everyone has something they want to improve, and that's a good thing. Jesus said, "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." Matthew 5:48-The Message. The only difference between 2007 and 2008 is the number you write unless you decide to grow. For me 2007 is the year I started to run again. What will 2008 be for you?

So, in the spirit of what I wrote... what is my resolution for this year? Well... gulp... I want to run a marathon this year, and second, I want to blog at least twice a week... So now you know and and can keep me to it.

Resolution to Eternity