I have a love/hate relationship with making New Year’s resolutions. I love that the calendar has changed over, and I get a fresh new year to begin making positive changes. But I hate the pressure—and the failure—that often goes along with making these goals.
Through the years I’ve learned to be a little kinder to myself when it comes to resolutions. And I’ve tried to make wiser choices about what changes I’m going to make. Many of the habits or practices I want to change have taken years to develop, and a single resolution isn’t going to magically change the course of my life.
But there are heart-changes that I’ve learned do come quickly. While our son was in the military, these are the ones that made the most difference in my life:
1) Focus more on time spent together as a family, not the activity, price tag or venue.
2) When fearful and stressed, turn to God first, not as a last resort.
3) Make gratitude a priority. Look for reasons to be thankful.
4) Instead of making suggestions, offer congratulations on a task or job well done.
5) Look for more opportunities to say I love you—in words and actions.
6) Since long distance relationships can breed miscommunication, be quick to forgive and slow to take offense.
7) Don’t take tomorrow for granted. Make the most of today.
8) When your loved one returns home from deployment, reject jealousy and share them with others who love them too.
9) Spend more time in prayer for your enlisted family member as well as for those who care about them and for everyone, everyone, who may end up on the field of battle.
10) Find ways to show those who serve how much you appreciate their sacrifice and service.
