What are your new year resolutions?

Resolutions for the New Year
By Yvona Fast

Most of us see the New Year as a time for change. It’s a time to set new goals and make new plans, to reflect on the past and look to the future. Consider these ideas a guide for making 2010 a healthier, happier year for yourself, your family, and your community.


Think Positively – Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."


In 2010, I will have a more positive outlook. Have you ever spent a day with a truly negative person? Do you know someone who doesn’t like anything and complains about everything? Dwelling on the negative can lead to depression and an unbalanced view of life. On the other hand, cultivating a positive attitude can help us see joy in the little things. View the struggles and hardships life brings as challenges to produce personal growth and change.



Have Fun – Ecclesiastes 3 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: ..."
In 2010, I will balance work, leisure, and spiritual activities.Do you come home from work unable to interact with the family? Are your evenings spent
with the TV rather than playing with the kids or sharing with your spouse?
As adults, we often become work-centered and lose sight of the importance of leisure activities. Play refreshes body and mind, enabling you to return to work and see life from a fresh perspective. There is a time to work, but we must also take time to play.




Fitness Counts! – 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?";

6:19 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

In 2010, I will begin and maintain an exercise program. Is your idea of sports and recreation watching a game on television? We now know that
regular exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can also do wonders for the spirit. Relieve stress and reduce tension by exercising it away.

Chill Out – Phillipians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

In 2010, I will take time to relax and enjoy the simple things in life.As you walk, do you stop to smell the flowers? Or do thoughts and worries of work and family crowd in? Learn to turn off your nervous tension that drains your energy, resulting in exhaustion. Inability to deal with stress can use up nutrients, deplete the body’s strength, and leave the nervous system turned on.



Get Involved – Galatians 5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

In 2010, I will become actively involved in ministry at my church and reach out to others in my community. Every Christian should be involved in some area of ministry in her local church. If you are not involved, contact your leaders. They will be happy to help you find a place of ministry in your church body. Everyone needs a ministry, instead of allowing a few to do everything. After finding your place of ministry in the church body, be a responsible citizen in the community. Once you create a positive lifestyle and improve the quality of life for your family, you will become aware of the needs of others. Jesus, our model, came to earth as a servant. By getting involved in your church, community, nation and world, you can make a difference. Use your skills to help those who are less fortunate. The opportunities are endless and are all around you. Seek them out and get involved!



This article originally appeared in the January/February 2003 issue of Woman’s Touch magazine. Reprinted with permission of the author.