New Years resolutions, (sigh).
Actually, mine are Halloween resolutions, made in the midst of eating–you guessed it– a Butterfinger for breakfast one morning. It was at that point that I realized I have little self control and possibly even less discipline. Well… I always knew that. But I guess it was at that point that I decided I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to be more disciplined.
Perhaps, I will never be considered a really disciplined person. One of the few who get up and go for a run every morning, eat hard boiled eggs and tuna, and read their Bibles everyday. Those who floss every night before bed and can pass up a piece of chocolate cake. In fact, I’m quite sure that will never be me. And I’m growing more okay with the thought.
Regardless, I want to be more disciplined than I currently am. I want to set some goals and see what I’m made of, if you will. And maybe, just maybe, be proud of my accomplishments.
You see, things have never really been hard for me. I don’t mean to sound naive, or cocky, or spoiled but it’s basically true. Part of it has to do with the fact that I was born into a great middle class family in the United States of America and part of it has to do with the fact that I don’t attempt difficult things. If it seems like something I can do, I try it. But if it seems too hard, too difficult and to take too much time, energy, and discipline you can count me out.
So I decided to set some goals. Goals that could not (in any way shape or form) be accomplished without discipline, without effort. I figured by setting challenging goals I will be forced to go outside of my normal way of operating and get out of my comfort zone.
Here they are. In the next year I will:
1. Run a half marathon
2. Read the Bible cover to cover
Some people would not be intimidated by these goals, but they scare the heck out of me. I’ve read the entire Bible before (not in a year) and I’ve done some running (not more than a 10k). So what actually scares me most isn’t making these goals, it is sharing them with you!
Aye, there’s the rub! No, not death, something much worse: accountability. Accountability. That’s what we are all lacking isn’t it?
So here’s my confession to you accountability partner:
Four days into the new year and I have been behind on my Bible reading every day. However, I am pleased to report that as of tonight I am caught up!
As for running…that hasn’t really happened yet. My plan is to run a 10k this spring and train over the summer for a half marathon in the fall. It all sounds doable in my head, but pretty soon my feet have are going to have to start hitting the pavement and that’s when the going gets tough. (And the tough get going, right? Yeah, that’s when I’m usually lost. I’m not tough, so I don’t get going.)
So what’s your New Years resolution? (Or your Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Valentinte’s resolution?) Want me to hold you accountable?
Brooke Frick 
I’m thinking about signing up for a half marathon too. It’s in Detroit October 16. I still haven’t started running but figure maybe just maybe if I sign up, I will start. 🙂
You should and we should hold one another accountable. I haven’t looked at one in the fall to run yet. Maybe I’ll could do Detroit too!?? We’ll see. It’d be nice to have one closer, but it would be fun to run it with you!
You guys should both run the Hartford half marathon. That would be fun. I am planning on running the marathon again. We could all do a race and the half and full start at the same time. Maybe we could talk Bud and Patrick into doing either the full or half also. 🙂
When did you run a 10K? And how did I miss that????? Wow-Impressive! I’m a REALLY bad sister for not knowing that. Good luck with the running, love you!
Hey! That’s okay! I’ve actually run a 10k twice! It’s the apple blossom 10k here in winchester. I guess the last time I ran it was in 08, before kids. I did okay, so I am hoping to improve my time this year!
We share the Bible goal, but I would really like to do ten push-ups in a row! Man, are those hard 🙂
Push ups are hard!! I am sure you’re shoveling will help though!! Good luck with the Bible goal too! We should try to ask one another how it’s going now and then 🙂
Is it possible for one to have discipline, yet lack self-control? I have so many resolutions, they are hard to count. The 10K was fun last year–it was one of my resolutions, and I kept it.
want to run the 10k again this year with me? And I think the answer is probably not 😦 Ahh well, Darrell was sweet and reminded me that I do have some discipline in my life. He’s nice sometimes 🙂
Hi there, Butterfingers. I ran my first half-marathon a year and a half ago at age 45, and I only trained for 9 weeks (I was a two mile a day runner before that). That means that you can totally do this! And thanks for reminding me that I wanted to do a one-year Bible reading plan. And thanks for visiting my blog! And thanks for… oh, I don’t know. Sharing your seven-year knitting sweater story with me 🙂
Haha! Thanks for visiting my blog! I’m so glad I found yours. Truly funny! And thanks for the encouragement! God knows I need it! And I hope you get your Bible reading plan going! Blessings!
I’ve read the entire Bible once, but it was over several years and it was a long long time ago. After reading your goals, I think I just might get it out again and reread it with new eyes. I also had a half marathon as a goal a few years ago. I was new to the running scene, fell in love with running… but a severely swollen tendon in my ankle sidelined me. Some day, I might take up running again…always good to have goals. 🙂
Well, I think you’re idea’s a bit better! Set goals you can reach! Haha. I am hoping I keep these resolutions. I think I have to just go ahead and sign up for a race, that’ll be my accountability! And good luck with the Bible reading!