This year, I'm switching themes. Though what's nice about themes is that they are never far from your mind and you can keep those changes and ideas with you. I thought long and hard about this theme. I realized on December 30th that I didn't have one. I spent time thinking about what is was that I needed to change in my life and what I wanted to see fulfilled by the end of this new year. That night it basically spoke itself to me. I want to create closer relationships. Those don't happen overnight though. Thus my theme was born...
On that same note, ONE STEP CLOSER to Christ. I truly believe that the best way to know Him is to serve others, wholly and selflessly. I can also increase my relationship with Him through the scriptures.
And again, ONE STEP CLOSER to the Spirit. Throughout my life I have questioned whether these thoughts I receive are from my own crazy brain or truly from God. I often, way too often than I should probably admit, ignore those thoughts...or promptings.. I always determine to do better and I do..for about a minute! Many personal blessings have warned me to follow those thoughts and reminded me that the Spirit speaks to me often...the ball is clearly in my court! I also heard recently that if He is sending these messages thrpugh the Spirit but we aren't acting on them, then we will be given those prompting less and less and He will use someone He knows will do His work. I must follow those in order to increase my opportunities to have the Spirit in my life and I cannot learn to discern if I'm not following. Moroni 7:12-13 "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."
ONE STEP CLOSER to my husband. We were best friends. We enjoyed so much about each other. We still love each other dearly, but the demands of life...work, school, kids, money...have definitely affected the closeness we once shared. Life changes things. We haven't always been on the same page, but we have made progress lately and I want to continue that. Each day I need to be one step closer to the real "us." Laughing together, crying together, learning together, studying together, growing together, parenting together, dreaming together, experiencing together.
ONE STEP CLOSER to my children. I know I have great relationships with them..but even good things can become better! As they've grown and demands on my time changed, I actually do less with them than when they were younger. Crafts, playing games and toys (seriously I have the worst imagination as an adult!!!), even some simple traditions have been pushed aside. One-on-one time is there, but not as much as it should be, especially as they get older! I want them to continue to communicate with me about so many things..that will only continue if our closeness remains or increases.
ONE STEP CLOSER to my family. I have great parents and siblings. I need to make sure that I'm working on strengthening those relationships rather than disrupting them. Phone calls, letters, emails, pictures.. There are some extended members..aunts, uncles, cousins, on my side and Cory's that we are truly grateful for and love as our own immediate family. We must nurture those relationships or there won't really be much to call a "relationship."
ONE STEP CLOSER to friends. I used to pride myself on what a great friend is was. I always had best friends and large groups of friends. I always surrounded myself with lots of people and was always having people over. It's sooo not that way anymore. There is still a part of me...okay a large part...that misses that..that needs that. But it's just not as possible when you're an adult with a family! No matter how much I need social settings, I often find myself in a completely opposite situation. I sort of hole up and get in my own head, kind of keeping away from people..which is so not like me! Instead , I need to get out and make friends, fix bruised relationships, and be a better friend to those I do have.
ONE STEP CLOSER to me!! It's almost impossible to try and describe the differences in me now and me 10 years ago. Unless you knew me at both times, it's not something people can really grasp! That me is still me. It's what I desire out of life. It's what I dream of. It's who I am inside. But new insecurities and doubts have crept in, taken a hold of the real me, and choked it nearly out!! I want to look like me. I want to feel like me. I want to dream like me. I want to communicate like me. I want to laugh like me. I want to talk like me. I want to act like me. I want to love like me. I want to care lIke me. I want to cry like me. I want to be me!
I know this seems as daunting as a long list of resolutions. I don't think it will be though. Fixing and nurturing relationships is not an easy or a quick feat. But it's doable if we do it ONE STEP at a time, if we get ONE STEP CLOSER, then we are doing better than yesterday and if we continue taking steps, our relationships will be what we want, need, them to be.
Cheers to a healthy, happy 2016!! What are you working on this year???
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