Happy New Year!

T-15 minutes and counting. Hitch is at a party and everyone else is sprawled around the family room waiting, or sleeping. I'm reading everyone's New Year's Resolutions on their blogs.

I love this. You can go to the website below and answer their questions. They'll tell you what your resolutions should be. It sure beats the work of trying to figure them out yourself, and they'd probably be the same, anyway!

You Should Make 3 Resolutions

Lose Weight Save Money Reduce Stress Overall

What Should You Resolve to Change Next Year?

Since I'm not a big fan of introspection, I took the easy way out.

Actually, I really don't like New Year's Resolutions. Despite the fact that I'm a list-maker, I'm also one who like to fly by the seat of her pants. When I've tried to make resolutions in the past, it has felt hollow, empty, and forced. I'm sure you can guess the outcome. I'm sure I could make a year's worth of Friday Fails on them.

I don't want to get into the habit of waiting until January 1 to be a better person anymore than I want to wait until Monday to start a diet. I remember, as a child, that every time we got a new car the folks resolved that we were going to start wearing seat belts. Well, that never happened---not until my first date with Dh when he buckled me in and told me I had to wear it. Simple as that! Isn't he a sweetheart?

Self-improvement has to be an ongoing effort. Our family goal is to go to Confession once a month, preferably more. That's at least a monthly opportunity to start afresh. But there are opportunities daily. Every day should end with an examination of conscience of sorts where we look at what we've done wrong, or omitted, and how we can do better tomorrow with God's grace. Every moment is an opportunity to say "yes" to God. Mother Teresa, in her writings, said that she never wanted to deny Christ anything He asked of her. Her constant prayer was that she would never say "no" to Him. We have those same opportunities, because every inspiration we have to do good comes from God. Inspirations like calling a sick friend, preparing a meal for someone, getting off the computer to read the Bible or pray a rosary, or answering the cry of a child.

So, my resolutions for this year (because it is now after midnight! Happy New Year!) are the same as my resolutions were yesterday, and the day before that:

1. To pray more frequently throughout the day, and, most importantly, to start my day on my knees.
2. To respond positively to those inspirations from God.
3. To trust in God and stop worrying so much about everything.
4. To be more loving, especially when I feel the least loving!
5. To eat in a healthful manner that helps me to be the best I can be.
6. To end my day on my knees in self-examination.

I'm probably not going to be a dramatically different person this year, but I'm slowly working my way toward sainthood. God willing. I'm sure He is willing. Willing to help me in every way possible, but it all depends on how willing I am to work with him. Mother Teresa wanted to be "a pencil in God's hand" to be used by Him. St. Therese wanted to be like a ball to be played with or tossed aside, whatever He wanted to do with her. That's what I want, but I need to get out of the way, so to speak, and let Him do His work.

May the blessings of Christ be with you and your loved ones throughout the year!