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2015 :: looking ahead...

So, these are more my goals, or "resolutions", of the new year... but firstly, I wanted to make sure to put into writing:  I'm looking forward to good things from God this year.  After last year's "no-norm" craziness and all, I can get discouraged thinking of what a whole new year has in store for us.  But I want to remember that I have SO very much to be grateful for entering this year.  He delights in giving His children good things, though sometimes we need to be drawn through times of need to realize it.  He takes away.  But He also gives.  And I'm excited to see what He has for me in the next twelve months - because no matter what, I have Him.  I have His friendship, His Kingship in my life, His LOVE.

Read.  
This is something I want to do a lot of this year.  I really regret falling out of the habit of reading good books over the past couple years, and want to make sure I make time for it in 2015.

Application:
Start getting ready for bed by 9:30-10 so that I have time before I go to bed to read.  Have a running list of books that come to mind/I hear about/are recommended that I can go to to find a new book to read.  Keep books in my bedroom to remind me, and take books with me on long car drives.  Make it a priority during "crash time" over blog-stalking, etc.

Keep a calendar.  PLAN.
I KNOW I need to keep a calendar this year.  I want to be aware of things coming up so that I can plan ahead and have a clear idea of the next weeks/months.

Application:
Get a calendar.  Put it in my bedroom or computer area.  Make sure to look over it every day.  Date important birthdays, school deadlines, events, etc.  Don't lose the calendar - this is why I have been so horrible at calendar-keeping before. =Z  Keep more TO DO lists; keep a notebook/notepad by computer and in bedroom to remind me.   This all kind of goes with...


Be on time.
When I can't do anything about it, I can't do anything about it.  But there's times I can.

Application:
Be more aware of the time.  Check the time throughout the day.  Know how much time you're spending on things, and how much time you are using that could be used for something more productive.  Know what time you need to be somewhere (even as a family), and plan ahead.


Be disciplined. 
Ah, this weakness of mine... let's defeat it this year, shall we?  NO MORE LATE NIGHTS. (ahem... early mornings.)  NO MORE NAIL-GNAWING.  NO MORE EXCUSES.  You get my point.  Sooo... how to make this happen?

Application:
1) Be in bed (really, actually going to sleep) by 11:00, 11:30 LATEST.  Only if needed.  Things can hold off until the next morning - just get up early enough to get them done.  2) Brush teeth, good, EVERY night; preferably every morning too.  3) No tea, etc. except water on days I touch my fingernails.  Or the next day.  4) Exercise once a day.  Stretching, running, whatever.  Just do something for at least 20 minutes.  5) No more showers over 20 minutes.  Bring a timer into the bathroom if you have to.  6)  No social media until after school.  7) Saturday chores.  Stay on top of them.

Drive.  Finish school.
THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.  Soon.  Both.

Application:
1) Read through Driving handbook, and have studied by February.  You are taking test in February.  2) Finish Logic, Algebra 2, and 1776 by May.  Have Geometry and Anatomy completed by the Fall.  Know your more productive times/methods of learning, and use to your advantage.  Stay focused.

Push.  
Physically, I feel a lot better than I was last year.  I want to take advantage of this, and push myself to do more now that I can.  I want to push my mind to be stretched farther, too.

Application:
When you want to learn something, write it down somewhere.  And then learn it.  Push yourself to study things more deeply, delve into the bible more thoroughly, to do things more excellently.  Keep a running list of these things.


On Hebrews 12:2: It signifies an averting or drawing off the eye from one object to another. There are two expressions, apo and eis: the one signifies a turning off the eye from all other objects, the other a fast fixing of the eye upon such an object. So it is both a looking off and a looking on. On what? Looking unto Jesus. (Isaac Ambrose)

No matter what I see behind me when I look back over my shoulder at 2014, I want to look ahead.  To look ahead, ever on Jesus.  To take my eyes OFF of anything they shouldn't be on, and change focus until they're back on the Lord.  Above all?  I want to mirror the image of Christ:

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)



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