Resolutions, themes, beginnings

In the past, we have done resolutions for the new year as a family. Kept them in time capsules hidden away until next year, put them on a sheet of poster board to see all year long. Planned, dreamed, set goals.

New Year's is coming and I'm not sure what we're doing as a family to mark it. Yes, we'll be heading to Mom and Dad's for the Rose Parade and black-eyed peas and thank you note writing (except for Audrey, who already got hers done in record time!).

But we need some time to dream together, to talk together, to set some goals together about what we hope this next year will hold.

I'm thinking the poster may be in order once more. There's something about writing down our hopes and dreams and goals that makes them more real, more solid, more tangible than just talking about them. And hanging that poster on the basement door keeps it present, so that we remember what we've dreamed and hoped and do really want as the year progresses.

At the same time, a theme is emerging as I pray and journal and read. For me, 2011 is going to be marked by LOVE. I want to pay closer attention to how to love the people in my family--in ways they need and receive, rather than just how I prefer to love them, what's most convenient for me, or most comfortable. 

Do you make resolutions? Pick a theme? How do you mark the beginning of a new year?

Comments

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

What a great theme! I've been doing themes for several years now. Mine for 2011 - GIVE.

You can read about it here.

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

Oops...my link didn't work. You can read about The Year of Giving with this link

http://breathoflifeministries.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-year-of-giving.html

[Fran]

We have never done this as a family. I think we will start this year! Thanks Joanne!

Blessings over you and your precious family.

[Laura]

A theme and a poster is a great idea. Can't avoid a large poster board hanging in a room! I would love our theme to be "give". God has blessed us so much this year and we would love to give our money, time, and lives to God. However that may look! Yikes... that's scary :)

[stephanie]

Your word for the year is similar to mine - serve, with a theme verse of Titus 2:3-5. I think most of my resolutions/plans will be revoling around this for 2011 and I'm so excited to see what will happen.

[Angela]

This quote is my theme for 2011: The character of a life isn’t set in ten big moments. The character of a life is set in ten thousand little moments of everyday life. - Paul David Tripp

[Teri Butcher]

My theme this year is similar! I'm going to write about it and I'll tweet the link! :) God is up to something BIG!

[Helen at A Work of Heart]

Hey Joanne,

I do pick a personal word for the year and usually a scripture for the year as well. Last year I picked four...yes, I can be a bit compulsive but there was a reason!
This year I have two in a sense: LIVE LIFE...thinking about in Christ we have NEW LIFE...CHANGED LIFE...LIVE a FULL LIFE...John 10:10.
I will be blogging about it in the next days.

[Gretchen]

I want to try the poster board resolution/goal idea with my family this year. Not sure how it will work with 4 teenagers that are not always "into" mom's new ideas, if you know what I mean.

My theme for this Christmas was PEACE and I know that God wants me to continue that into 2011.

Thanks for sharing your life with us and I love you new pic on your website. Cute hair!

[Amy]

Love your Love theme! I've chosen. . . and it's Now. My eldest daughter turned 14 yesterday, and I want to enjoy now. Not long for yesterday or worry about tomorrows. It's the first time I've chosen a name for the year, and I'm really quite excited:) ~Blessings~

[Ginny]

My husband and I were talking tonight about sitting down to discuss 2011. I like the idea of having goals on a board to see ALL.YEAR.LONG

A personal goal of mine is to memorize scripture, so I'm doing Beth Moore's SSMT. Are you, Joanne?

[Sharon]

I love Amy's "now" theme. I have such a hard time being in the moment. My daughter is only 11 months, but for her whole life, I've been looking forward to the next thing. Right now I can't wait for her to walk, to talk and tell me what she needs, etc. But, it's not only in relation to her that I tend to be focused on what's to come. I do this in almost every area of my life. And I want to stop and be in the moment and enjoy what's going on presently. Because otherwise, when my daughter starts to walk and talk, instead of reveling in it, I'll start yearning for when she will be potty trained or start school etc.