Resolve
My new years resolutions typically end up looking eerily similar to the average life span of a Dallas Cowboys fan’s hopes of winning a Super Bowl ever since the mid 90’s.
Goals clearly stated. Resources spent. Expectations through the roof. Glimmers of hope. A few early season wins. Momentum built.
Then the pressure starts rising. The level of the opponent grows. Memories of past mistakes begin to surface and become reacquainted. Defeat. Failure. People talking again. Left standing on the sidelines (or sititing on the couch/recliner) depressed and hoping for another season… another chance.
WAITING.
Waiting is something I am really good at. I mean, like professional level good at.
I think it’s because I see myself as pretty average.
Don’t get me wrong. I CONSTANTLY have thoughts of the person I long to be. The habits I’d like to form. The changes wanted AND needed in my life. And I set myself up to do one thing.
Wait for the perfect situation for everything to happen.
Oh, I might start a few things here and there. I sometimes even make a little progress. But far too often, I let my failures and set backs paralyze me, with my default response set to backpedal while waving my oft used “Flag of Retreat.”
I can’t stand that flag. Especially when I know, deep down in my heart that I’m giving up, once again, on something that matters to me.
Health goals. Marriage. Side hustles. Parenting efforts. Self growth plans. Relationships to invest in.
“I could go on forever, baby.”
Instead of the Gangster from Home Alone II shooting his machine gun at my goals and dreams, tearing them to pieces, I look down only to see the gun in my own hands. AGAIN.
I’m so tired of living that cycle. Settling. Affirming the average label I have given myself for decades.
There is no perfect situation for everything to happen. It will never be easy. Life seems to throw way more curve balls at me than fast balls. I swing and miss WAY more than I make contact. And I use all of the misses as excuses in my arsenal to explain my lack of progress and growth.
But isn’t that the point? To keep swinging?
I didn’t start out 2023 with a “WORD” like I saw many others do. I really didn’t set that many specific goals this year at all. Probably because I didn’t want to be able to have proof of my upcoming failures.
One word that I think would be a great one for 2023 for me is RESOLVE.
Not because that’s what I think I am full of at this point, but because it’s who I am working to become. It’s what it will take for me to grow in the areas that my heart beats most vigorously and passionately for. Someone who follows through with actions, the things he says with his lips.
Maybe you are in the same place I am. Stuck in that frustrating cycle where resolutions are made with no resolve, resulting in regret, ultimately leading to retreat.
CHALLENGE- What is ONE thing that you set out to do as you entered 2023 that you are frustrated about your lack of progress in? Yes, I know there are more than one. Don’t let that paralyze you like it has me in the past. Write it down. Shift your expectations a little. Erase the word perfection out of the game plan (at least for now) so you won’t be chasing the unattainable and replace it with progress.
Take one simple step today towards that “THING/GOAL/DREAM” to become the person you believe you can be and see what happens.
You will have doubts for sure. I know I do right now, especially as I dust the keys off of my laptop to write another blog when it’s been almost a year. Ashley is currently in surgery, leading by example once again, showing resolve to face another battle with her health. Life is about to demand even more the next couple of months as she recovers, on top of the normal craziness of life with three boys and ministry. Believe me… I can spit out ALL the excuses of why I shouldn’t, can’t, won’t, etc. as quickly as a toddler does when given a mouth full of nasty ole green peas for the first time.
But I am a person with RESOLVE. I may not have as much proof in the current edition of my resume as I would like… but I have the resolve to get there.
And so do you.
There is no perfect moment where everything will simply become easy. Just remember that you have the resolve to figure things out along the way and push through the obstacles to achieve what you dream about. To grow. To bring impact in the lives of the people around you who matter the most.
Every day is a new day, and when you stumble and the struggle feels real, be thankful for an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.
You’ve got this friend! And you have resolve too. More than you know. Praying for you in your journey through this life! Let’s get after it.
