Make a silk purse: Happy New Year!
The biggest problem with New Year's Resolutions is that it seems like what you are committing to do or not do is forever! Well, I've discovered a work-around. Thirty days. That's it. Surely, I can commit to something for 30 days. This is all based on Jenn Hatmaker's book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. I've mentioned it before and it really has rocked my world. In the book, Jenn picks 7 things to give up/do over a 7 month time period. They were: eat only 7 foods, wear only 7 pieces of clothing, give away 7 things a day, pray 7 times a day, spend money at only 7 places, eliminate 7 media types and adopt 7 green habits.
I wish I could remember where I first heard about this book. I did not know that she was a Christian when I borrowed the book from the library. It just sounded interesting. I figured she was going to be more on the 'earthy/crunchy' side of life. Nope. She's pretty normal or main stream. Well, she was until she wrote this book (along with Interrupted which I have not read). You really should read this book. Even, if it's only to open your eyes to the excess that we have in our culture. She included her family in the challenges although her children did not participate in the 7 foods or clothing months. I'm picking my challenges wisely. I want these challenges to, well, challenge us. I do not, however, want to fail miserably! For instance, I'm not going to give up media in a month that is cold and rainy and keeps all of us cooped up inside. Now THAT would be crazy!
3. Start entertaining (actually invite people into our home).
5. Start recycling and reduce excess purchases.
I need more ideas so bring them on!
The first on the list for the month of January is to stop eating out. We don't eat out a ton, but we eat out definitely more than we should. The biggest challenge will be my well know addiction to Sonic Rt 44 Diet Coke with Vanilla. *sigh* So long you tall styrofoam cup of deliciousness! It's just the right amount of sweet with the best ice in the world. The other challenge will be bringing food with us when we go out. We have days where we are gone for 4 hours because of back-to-back appointments. Most of these days I would run through a drive-thru to grab something to drink for me and a snack for the kids. I'll have to plan more. I've got the meal plan down for the first week of January. I've got the groceries purchased. I am giving my husband a pass for when he gets invited to lunch at work. We'll see how it goes!
I'll have more to say about all of this, I'm sure! So make sure that you subscribe to my blog (on the left) so that you don't miss a post.