2012: The Year of Good Health

Initially, I was not going to write a New Year's blog, then it was not long before I threw that out the window... 


I've never been much of a "resolutions" type of gal, so I am not going to change that now. However, I do love new starts, do-overs and fresh beginnings, so with the ringing in of the new year, I figured I should come up with a few things I would like to see come into fruition in 2012. 


I don't know about you, but most of my good ideas come to me when I am in the shower. So, the other day this is what came to me when I was reflecting on 2011 and looking ahead into 2012. The word that kept coming to me was "health". Then I broke it down into specific areas of my life that I would like to focus more of my attention and time on:

Spiritual Health

Emotional Health

Physical Health

Financial Health

I think 2012 will be my year of good health. There are lots of things that I have been putting off, or have put on hold in my life in these areas, and this year will be my chance at starting over, and really taking care of myself. 


Here are a few ways that I will be working on these areas.


Spiritual Health

• Start meeting with a mentor. This is something I have been desiring and praying about for years. I am so grateful that the Lord has answered this prayer, and am so excited to get this started!
• Small Group. This is something I've tried and tried several times, with several different groups. I want this time to be different, and I really want to commit to meeting on a regular basis with this group. Even if it's just two, or three of us, there is so much to be gained when meeting with a group of Godly sisters, and walking life together.
• Continually be in the Word and read a few solid Christian books (taking recommendations!).

Emotional Health

• Counseling/Therapy. This is my first time publicly stating that I meet with a therapist every week. I've refrained from putting on my blog for small reasons, but I guess there is no point in keeping that in. I really felt I was at a point in my life that seeking some Godly, professional guidance would really benefit me. I started meeting weekly with my therapist a month ago, and have already seen tremendous growth. I am really glad I made the decision to do this, and am not in the least bit ashamed. I encourage anyone reading this, if you are contemplating seeing a therapist, do it. It's so refreshing and truly encouraging. My counselor is Christian, and everything he offers me is founded on prayer and the Word. I am not sure how much longer we will be meeting, but for now it is truly a blessing!
• Journaling. This is something I am really good at starting and not finishing. I guess that is why I have a blog. I want to change this though. I've been journaling pretty consistently for the last month, and I want to take that into the new year with me. The truth is, putting your inner thoughts and emotions down on paper, where only you and the Lord can see it, is such a powerful thing. It's great to look back on things I wrote and see how much I have changed and grown. I really believe this will help me in this transitional season and also better my emotional health.
• Do things that make me smile. The little, the big and the in between things. Life is way too short to just live to work, or stick to a routine. I am finding that taking a different route home than I usually do, or trying a new food, watching an old movie, listening to a new artist, these little things bring me a unique happiness, and I can see how it's effected me in a great way. 
• Invest more in my relationships. This is something I've been so excited about for the new year. Working at LiNK was extremely time consuming (and I loved all of it, no regrets!), but now that I am more available, I really want to invest in the people I love. Really be available to walk life with them, and just love them better. 

Physical Health

• I honestly don't even know where to begin on this one. I have never, ever been one to have a daily exercise routine or consistently eat healthy foods. But, in the midst of seeing my fellow bloggers talk about their NY's goals, I came across this photo and it truly knocked me on face. 

[Source: http://reasonstobefit.tumblr.com/]

It's incredibly true. The only person that is being harmed by my poor eating and exercise habits is ME. And, my health is not my mom's responsibility or my friends, it's MINE. So, I really want 2012 to be different in this area. Like I said, I don't even know where to begin, and I don't even know how to get healthier, so again, I am taking reccommendations and suggestions ;)

Financial Health

• Be as close to debt free by December 31st, 2012 as possible. I am working on a budget right now, and it's kind of difficult since I don't have a job yet, but I am confident that this will be the year I become financially healthy and stable. Working at LiNK was difficult for financial reasons. I don't regret it at all, but working for close to nothing when you have bills and credit cards, is far from easy. But, working at LiNK also taught me to live simplistically. I will take this great lesson with me wherever I go. I am so grateful for that. 
• God is beyond faithful in providing for me. As of this week, by the grace of God and the help of my dear mother, I will be "debt free" to my bills and credit card companies. I will still be paying for all of my debt, just minus the interest, so I will just be paying my mother. I literally had been praying over this stress for a month, and I am so thankful that I can enter into this new year without that financial burden. When my mom said she would help me, I literally broke down and cried. I am determined to save money (I don't even care if it is $20 a month), and truly be a good steward of my money.

That about sums up my goals to become a healthier person over all for the 2012 year. I am extremely excited for this new year, and in the many ways I believe God will be at work in my life. I have no job, no real home, and no idea what is next for me, yet I feel so much peace and joy in my life! Praise Jesus for His overwhelming love, amen?

Cheers to new beginnings and fresh starts, friends!