I’m not sure when or how, but the holidays came and went in the blink of an eye and here we are, through the first week of a shiny new year!  I love a new year, don’t you?  It’s such a beautiful time when we have the hope of leaving a conflicted time behind us and begin anew with a beautiful, clean slate.

Resolutions have never been something I’ve made in the past (who really keeps them?), but for some reason I felt a little more compelled to do so this year.

You see, I seem to have found myself at a little crossroads of sorts filled with inner turmoil and conflict as 2015 rolled into 2016.  It’s time to make some changes and focus on improving myself.  For some unknown reason I am my own greatest enemy and I keep sabotaging myself because of self-esteem issues and trying to please everyone else.  These emotions I am experiencing are affecting my little family as well, and I do not want that at all!

With a season of change looming on the horizon, we kicked our New Year off in the best way possible with a little family get-away to the Florida Keys.  This was the first time in twenty-one years we turned off football and parties; leaving our traditions behind to start our year off on the right track!  It’s inspired me to definitely focus less on the world and more on my family, our spiritual lives and our well-being.

This isn’t going to be a “new year, new me” post, but more of a “new year let’s get our act together” post!

“The wife and mother in a family often ‘sets the tone’ in the home. The ‘tone’ God wants her to set is one of joy, optimism, and a delight in the Lord and in her family.”

~ Martha Peace

So here are a few of my resolutions to fill this clean slate that is 2016:

*Let go and let God.  I spend so much time trying to control every aspect of my life that I am losing my relationship with God.  It’s time to give Him all of my life, let Him take control and become number one in my life again.  As a wife and momma I have the ability to make our home in a way that either brings my family closer to God or tears them away.  I for sure don’t want to do the later by neglecting God in my own life.

“Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain…”

~Psalm 127:1

*Create balance and harmony between work and home.  I let my job stress me out so much that it is truly affecting the atmosphere of our home.  It’s not good for my husband, my children, nor myself.

When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or ever will compare with, or effectively substitute for, the home’s potential for positive influence.
~Stephen Covey

*Start saying “no”.   There are many sides to this “NO”…. “No” to working when I’m not scheduled (after Elizabeth Arden gift with purchase ends… I do have a customer base to be available for and goals to meet as a part of my job).  “No” to over-extending myself trying to play perfect mom.  “No” to people pleasing, and “NO” to feeling serious mom-guilt when circumstances beyond my control affect little things in my life.

*Get back on track with my health and fitness goals.  I have maintained my weight for over a year now, but it is not the goal I set for myself a couple of years ago.  It’s time to quit being lazy while maintaining, and hit those goals!  Besides, if I am not happy with myself nor am I as healthy as I should be how can I take care of my family?  They look to me as an example and I need to be that example 24-7 in all aspects of life!

*Tackle my to-do list and make progress!  I have dabbled in so many projects that are only half complete over the last several months that it’s really embarrassing to have nothing to show for it.  It is time to clean, sand, paint, decorate, and organize our house and truly make it a home!

*Incorporate more simple goodness into my home and in my own life in an effort to create a blessed and cherished atmosphere for us all.  Detoxing from technology (phones, kindles, etc…) is at the top of this list, closely followed by decluttering, less television and more games, books and outdoor activities.

Strength of character may be learned at work, but beauty of character is learned at home.
~Henry Drummond

*Open up our home more to friends and loved-ones, making everyone welcome, wanted and cherished.  I miss having friends over to play cards, watch the “big game” or dine with us.  There is no reason that we stopped, except excuses.  Our doors are open, our table is set and it’s time to focus on building personal relationships with others, not a text or Facebook relationship. When people leave our home, I want them to feel appreciated and wanted in our life.

There are also some smaller tasks to focus on this year, but these are the ones that have sat on my heart most heavily and the resolutions I fully intend to keep. When 2016 ends, I want to look back and truthfully say this was the year I kept all my resolutions and made a positive change in my life!  I also want my children to know setting goals to improve themselves in all aspects of life is most important and not something they should take lightly.  At the end of the day I want to be an example they can be proud to emulate in their own adult lives.  Setting and keeping positive goals that benefit us all is a great way to help with that!

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
~Confucius

Did you make resolutions this year?  I would love to hear about them!