New Year's Resolutions...
This past Thursday I ended up having to pinch hit for that women's group at church, a program for our regular monthly meeting. Normally this shouldn't have happened, however these are my cards =0). I called the church secretary, who'd left me a message to call her and fill her in on the program we didn't have planned, and explained as much to her. She didn't miss a beat and suggested I do something on New Year's Resolutions to echo the sermon given at church the sunday past (I missed this having been out of town). I thought this was a fine idea and so after procrastinating until the night before our meeting, I spent some time online looking for fun and unusual things pertaining to New Year's resolutions. In general, I'm not much of a New Year's Resolution kind of gal but what I found was both inspiring for me and interesting enough to share here for your enjoyment. Most of these ideas have to do with getting more out of life rather than resolving to give up something.
1. More TIme: Slow down to pause and take a moment each day to yourself. Designate one ore two nights a week where you turn off the television and make a meal and eat dinner with family or friends.
2. More Adventure: Let your kids take one weekend a month to try new things or expose them to something they've never tried before. For example, if your teenage son has been begging to go play paint ball, try it together.
3. More Fun: Get to know your neighbors by organizing a community potluck progressive dinner.
4. More Good Deeds:Rack up your good karma points by doing a good deed for someone else (i.e., pay for someone's toll behind you, shovel your neighbors walkway, or help them with their yard work). You can also volunteer at a homeless shelter or a retirement home throughout the year, when those places need the most help -- not just during the holidays.
5. More Nature: Instead of resolving to go to the gym three times a week, pick one day to go dancing, hiking, skiing, bike riding, or just resolve to spend more time outside.
6. More Creative: Pick something you've never done before and make sure this is the year you do it. For example, try taking Japanese cooking or white water kayaking lessons. Take all of those holiday catalogs and make paper mache bowls as an art project for you and your kids.
7. More Fit: Start your new diet by eating more organic and fair trade foods, instead of punishing yourself with small portions and restrictions - try focusing on improving the quality of foods you eat.
8. More Organized: Clean out your closet and organize a clothes swap with friends or donate them to good will.
(the first 8 came from www.newdream.org/live/newyears.php)
9. Weekly Card Giving: As soon as you can, begin a list of every person you interact with on a regular basis. For most people, identifying 52 individuals is not difficult to do. From church members, to a local florist or even a hairdresser, begin listing all of the individuals who provide a service to you at some point during the year. From this list of 52 individuals, begin sending a card each week of the year as a way of expressing gratitude fro their service and care.
10. Donate One Item to Charity per Month: Most of us can locate 12 items we consider of little value in our homes. Items we may no longer use, wear or even items we keep stored away. Each month, on the first day, gather one unused item and make a trip to a local charitable organization for donation. In doing so, you may find, after several months, that more than one item is donated each month. Don't forget your charitable tax deduction slip!
11. Donate Two Hours to Charity Per Month: Charities all over the country rely upon citizens of the community to support and serve the cause. As a New Year's REsolution, pick a regular and consistent day of the month to participate in local charity volunteer service. For example, you may choose the third Saturday of each month. Find a local charitable organization in need of assistance and make a commitment to work two hours on a specified day of the month. In doing so, you will provide support to the organization and your community.
12. Bake for Your Neighbor: In every neighborhood there is a senior adult living alone. In some neighborhoods, independent senior adults are seeded throughout an entire area. As a friendly neighbor, identify one or two senior adults who reside alone and pick a day each month to share baked goods with them. Prior to doing so, inquire of any health concerns and special interests. Prepare baked items based on the senior adults health needs and prepare neat gift bags with activity based items which may strengthen memory skills such as word problems or search and find game books.
(9-12 came from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/82987/unique_new_years_resolutions.html)
I especially like the card a week idea, the good deeds idea and the adventure idea myself! Hope you get something out of these also!
1. More TIme: Slow down to pause and take a moment each day to yourself. Designate one ore two nights a week where you turn off the television and make a meal and eat dinner with family or friends.
2. More Adventure: Let your kids take one weekend a month to try new things or expose them to something they've never tried before. For example, if your teenage son has been begging to go play paint ball, try it together.
3. More Fun: Get to know your neighbors by organizing a community potluck progressive dinner.
4. More Good Deeds:Rack up your good karma points by doing a good deed for someone else (i.e., pay for someone's toll behind you, shovel your neighbors walkway, or help them with their yard work). You can also volunteer at a homeless shelter or a retirement home throughout the year, when those places need the most help -- not just during the holidays.
5. More Nature: Instead of resolving to go to the gym three times a week, pick one day to go dancing, hiking, skiing, bike riding, or just resolve to spend more time outside.
6. More Creative: Pick something you've never done before and make sure this is the year you do it. For example, try taking Japanese cooking or white water kayaking lessons. Take all of those holiday catalogs and make paper mache bowls as an art project for you and your kids.
7. More Fit: Start your new diet by eating more organic and fair trade foods, instead of punishing yourself with small portions and restrictions - try focusing on improving the quality of foods you eat.
8. More Organized: Clean out your closet and organize a clothes swap with friends or donate them to good will.
(the first 8 came from www.newdream.org/live/newyears.php)
9. Weekly Card Giving: As soon as you can, begin a list of every person you interact with on a regular basis. For most people, identifying 52 individuals is not difficult to do. From church members, to a local florist or even a hairdresser, begin listing all of the individuals who provide a service to you at some point during the year. From this list of 52 individuals, begin sending a card each week of the year as a way of expressing gratitude fro their service and care.
10. Donate One Item to Charity per Month: Most of us can locate 12 items we consider of little value in our homes. Items we may no longer use, wear or even items we keep stored away. Each month, on the first day, gather one unused item and make a trip to a local charitable organization for donation. In doing so, you may find, after several months, that more than one item is donated each month. Don't forget your charitable tax deduction slip!
11. Donate Two Hours to Charity Per Month: Charities all over the country rely upon citizens of the community to support and serve the cause. As a New Year's REsolution, pick a regular and consistent day of the month to participate in local charity volunteer service. For example, you may choose the third Saturday of each month. Find a local charitable organization in need of assistance and make a commitment to work two hours on a specified day of the month. In doing so, you will provide support to the organization and your community.
12. Bake for Your Neighbor: In every neighborhood there is a senior adult living alone. In some neighborhoods, independent senior adults are seeded throughout an entire area. As a friendly neighbor, identify one or two senior adults who reside alone and pick a day each month to share baked goods with them. Prior to doing so, inquire of any health concerns and special interests. Prepare baked items based on the senior adults health needs and prepare neat gift bags with activity based items which may strengthen memory skills such as word problems or search and find game books.
(9-12 came from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/82987/unique_new_years_resolutions.html)
I especially like the card a week idea, the good deeds idea and the adventure idea myself! Hope you get something out of these also!