Thursday, January 7, 2016

Hopes for a New Year

 
My bookworm Christmas tree :)


RESOLU'TION, n. : Fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition. (from the 1828 Webster dictionary, as are all other definitions in this post. Is it ultra-nerdy to have a favorite dictionary???)

It's a new year. I started a new journal, and, as tends to happen around January, I've thought about my hopes, dreams, goals, and expectation for my life. I know that no magic happens with the turning of a calendar from December to January. There is nothing fundamentally different about 2016. But human minds need landmarks, and New Year stands significant and proud as one of the most important human landmarks.

A time to put the past in the past and work towards an ideal future.

Me? I don't really do resolutions. I know from experience that New Year's resolutions have an annoying tendency to fail and frustrate, and so I left them behind several years ago. But goals? Hopes? I have plenty of those.

GOAL, n. : The end or final purpose; the end to which a design tends, or which a person aims yo reach or accomplish.

HOPE, n. : A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

In 2016, I hope to finish reading every word in my Bible. I have read some books in my Bible recently, but it has been too long since I've read to get the big picture. So, to avoid overwhelming myself, I'm just planning my reading one  month at a time. My pace will probably be less than perfect, but that's OK. The important thing is the doing - the reading - not necessarily the finishing.

I also hope to blog more! That said, my goal for January is to write four posts. Here is the first one! Again, I don't want to get discouraged if I don't meet my quota. It's the writing that counts, regardless of word count.

I hope to work again next summer. The goal? A job at least remotely related to my major and my career goals :)

What kind of year will 2016 be? Only God truly knows. But I can feel that it too, like 2015, will be full and important - a significant landmark. How could it not be?

"You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand"
~Psalm 16:11, NIV

What are some of your resolutions, hopes, and goals for 2016? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear from you! Also, any thoughts on the new look of my blog?
 


10 comments:

  1. Great New Year's post Amber! We will miss you and your family ... Love to all!

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    1. Love you all too! I miss you guys already, but I'm glad you've finally got a good house up in Virginia! Keep us updated :)

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  2. My goal is also to read through the whole bible, good luck!

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    1. Awesome! Are you starting at Genesis and reading straight through, or following some other plan? I am alternating/interspersing OT, NT, and Poetry books to keep the pace changing :)

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  3. Yes! I'm doing the same thing. I have a one year Bible, and that's how it's laid out :)

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    1. Awesome! Speaking of which, I should probably do my reading for the day...

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  4. Great Post, Amber! I love new journals too! And definitions have always been useful. There's a huge difference between goals and resolutions. I'm doing goals instead of resolutions this year too. Your blog looks beautiful, and I can't wait to read more in the coming year.

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Bethany! I just read your newest post and really enjoyed it was well :)

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  5. To answer your question, yes, I believe it is nerdy to have a fav dictionary! :) But I love it! And the 1828 too, since our culture has taken such a downward spiral that it has effected even our dictionaries. Your blog is pretty, altho I really enjoyed the photos of YOU! ;) My goal is to read the Bible through and front to back. Such a mystery, and a comfort, to know our God's in control and has plans for our 2016!

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    1. Thanks, Mom! I'm probably going to add some new photos to the sidebar :)

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