It is January 7…exactly one week into the new year and already there are some goals that I have failed to meet.
How is that for some discouragement?
Over the Christmas break I joined my local Planet Fitness. During the three weeks of and surrounding Christmas and New Years, I worked out almost every single day at the gym. I had plans to continue on this great working out streak of mine, but in reality I knew that it just would not be possible to hit the gym at the same rate. So, I planned to walk on my treadmill at home on the days when I couldn’t get to the gym and go to the gym at least three days during the week. We started back to our normal schedule with work (for my husband) and homeschool for the kids and I on Monday and would you like to know how many days I’ve worked out since then?
I’ll tell you…exactly ZERO.
That’s right…none at all. Life got busy and my great plans for exercise in the new year were the first to go.
I also planned to really concentrate on taking one photo a day this year, joining many in Capture Your 365. I printed out the monthly prompts for January and excitedly hung them on my refrigerator so I wouldn’t forget.
I’ve taken exactly three photos this year for Capture Your 365.
I’m already feeling the pressure of being FOUR days behind.
In some ways I feel as if I’ve already failed only one week into a new year.
But then I am reminded of my One Little Word for 2015, Steadfast and what it means to me…or rather what I want it to mean for me and my life this year.
Steadfast means no quitting!
Steadfast means sticking to the plan, trying my best each and everyday, even when it’s hard and I feel discouraged.
Being steadfast means that I continue on.
It means that I will head to the gym tomorrow when my husband gets home from work.
It means that I will pick up my camera to take more pictures.
It means that I won’t give up because I’m behind.
It means that I will press on to the goals that are before me.
The reason that I chose Steadfast as my focus for this year is because often I am too easily persuaded to give up…to stop trying. I don’t like that…I want to learn to endure. I want to continue on with the things that are important to me rather than giving up on them when life gets too busy or too hard.
How will I remain steadfast in this upcoming year?
I will look at each day as a new start.
I will refuse to let the failures of yesterday define my today or tomorrow.
I will remember the steadfast love of the Lord that endures forever.
I will remember the rewards of steadfastness…a life that is full and complete.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
And here’s a little something for you!
Feel free to pin, share and print out as a reminder to help in your quest to remain steadfast this year.