Yes, it's NYE 2011

I know a lot of you don't do resolutions, but I do.  For me, it's important both to assess my life over time and to set goals.  If you know me at all, you know I'm very, well, results driven. 

To that end, I'm sharing my resolutions/intentions/goals for 2012.  First off, the changes I need to make in my life will directly impact some of you!  As I let go of some responsibilities in order to live a healthier, more balanced life, some of what I do will need to be done by others, especially in my work life.  Secondly, I think some of my struggles, especially over the past five years, might resonate with many of you. 

So, here goes, along with some commentary about how and why I've chosen these particular goals:

LESS PROCESSED FOOD/NO SUGAR

Seems this one speaks for itself.  My goal is to cut out sweets entirely with the exception of VERY rare special occasions.  I have to be honest.  This will likely be the resolution I struggle with the most.  I am ADDICTED to sugar, but I know it's poison.  I'm also hopeful to eat at least 50% of my food raw.

LIMIT WORK TO NO MORE THAN 57 HOURS A WEEK + TAKE ALL VACATION
Yes.  I mean this.  A dear friend and very wise priest advised me in 2011 to do this, but I have to admit, I failed miserably.  Miserably.  Not even close.  However, my work ethic, recently described as "relentless" (which I had never realized and honestly, hurt my feelings terribly), is becoming counter-productive and unhealthy.  Since I planted Sacred Tapestry (and I admit, I've always been something of a workaholic, but it's gotten exponentially worse) over five years ago, I've put in 70 hour weeks almost non-stop and taken very little time off.  This has hurt my family, my relationships, my health, and my soul.  God commanded sabbath, every single week, for a reason.  Jesus went off alone for a reason.  I've tried to (wo)man handle the natural cycle of rest/work/play to fit my agenda, and I simply cannot keep up the pace.  I've seen my work life as a sprint, and it's really a marathon.  If I don't start to pace myself better, I'm not going to finish the race.  (Had to finish that metaphor though!)  So, I'm setting boundaries with work, and I'm taking every single minute of off time and vacation time I have in 2012, and I have 5 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of continuing education time, and may need renewal leave.  I'm exhausted and burning out.  I love Sacred Tapestry and everyone in it.  In fact, I love you all enough to tell you that I've got to establish some boundaries, rest every week, and ask others to help more.  So look out!   But, I'll be a better spiritual leader.  Of this I am sure.

MOVE MY BODY EVERYDAY + MEDITATION/YOGA
Until I launched Sacred Tapestry, I practiced yoga on a regular basis and exercised at least 3 times a week.  I had a strong prayer life, and meditation was an important part of my personal spiritual practice.  As I age, I am finding that I need this MORE, not less.  I want to be around and healthy for my family for many years to come. 

READ 52 BOOKS IN 52 WEEKS
I used to read all the time.  It made me a better writer.  It gave me great ideas for sermons.  It relaxed me.  I wrote for a living, and every good writer I know is an avid reader.  That has been lost over the last 10 years as I've gotten two advanced degrees.  Most of my reading has been academic in nature.  That's great, but I miss reading for pleasure.  So, a book a week is my goal.  So far, I'm on track.  I've already read a book this week and I'm half way to finishing another.  :)

BE LESS REACTIVE
I think this stands alone.  My goal is to listen more and say less, in every situation. 

RELAX/ENJOY FAMILY & FRIENDS MORE
I have some amazing, interesting, loyal friends, and I've not been a good friend at all to them for the last 5 years.  Work has consumed me.  I am very grateful that some of you have maintained effort with me even when I've been less than you deserved.  That will change in 2012.  Some of you have been my friends for all of my adult life.  Some of you are newer friends.  But  all of you are people I love, admire, and truly want to spend time with, so I will try to make that happen more often.  Forgive me.  And I will be more open to making new friends too.  I love my work, but I need to leave it behind more.  I want to laugh more.  I want to cook more.  I want to enjoy my brilliant son's last full year living at home before he goes off to college, and spend more time with and admiring my grown daughter, who has become one of the finest, smartest, most interesting women I know.  I want to spend more time smiling at my husband and less time passing like ships in the night.  I want to romance him and be romanced by him.  All that requires intention and time. 

So, there are my 2012 resolutions.  It's mostly about balance, which I readily admit my life has lacked, especially for the last 5 years. 

So, Happy New Year to all of you.  I know God will richly bless you in 2012 because God always richly blesses us.  Sometimes, like me, we are just too busy to notice.  This coming year, I intend to notice, and I intend to enjoy God's blessings in my life.  May you do the same.

Teresa