Goal Setting for 2012

I have set my goals differently this year than I ever have before.  And I'm enjoying it!!  So I thought I would share with you.  My goal for 2012 is to read my scriptures every day this year.  The last time I actually did this was in high school.  And I'm sad to admit that.  I usually read, but sometimes I let life get in the way.  So I am changing that this year.  I have a few smaller goals, but this is my big goal.  In January, I focused on this alone.  I had several nights where I would crawl into bed, get comfortable, be almost asleep, and I'd remember.  So I'd get up, turn the light back on, and I'd read.  I have not had to get back out of bed for a while now. :)  This goal is moving forward.  And I have been blessed for it.
So in February, I am still working on scripture study, but I focused on being the Mom I use to be.  I have let sleeplessness and having to work and post pardum depression and such interfere with the way I use to mommy.  I don't like it.  So I am working on changing it.  My big one was to be more patient and not to just snap or yell.  I also worked on getting my work done by the time the girls got out of school and doing more quality time activities with them.  It was a good month.  And although I have a long way to go still--I'm doing better.  And I'm okay with the direction I'm moving in.  It doesn't take as much conscious thought to do this anymore.
Now it's March--already!!  So at the end of February I had some experience which brought some of my fears to the fore front of my thoughts.  I hated living with this fear, so I am giving it to Christ.  I told Todd about it, and he said that maybe I should let someone else carry them for me.  Todd  took them from that night.  But really, this is Christ's job and not his.  I'm not just ignoring life--but after I have done all I can do, to continue to worry and fear is much like a rocking chair--it gives me something to do but doesn't help me go anywhere.  So I am doing what I can and then I am giving it to HIM whose yolk is much easier than my own. When I was contemplating my goals, I told Todd I wasn't sure I could do this goal.  He mentioned that we need to set goals that scared us.  This one did. But it has been so much easier than I ever would have imagined.  He has taken my fear and made room for my faith.  And then he has placed reminders in my path.  I want to share two.  I think I just posted this video --so it should be the next post, but just in case it didn't--here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFvIwXJhxCY
I came across this when I was preparing for my Sunday School lesson.  Many of these reminders were answers to prayers.  The second, was posted by my sister Cyntha on Facebook.

• The parable of the noodle...So we had Baked Macaroni for dinner tonight and Ben would not eat any of his noodles. When dinner was over James was awarded an ice cream cone for eating his noodles and some of his green beans. Ben was told all he had to do was eat one lonely noodle on his fork and he could claim his reward- an ice cream cone. But he would not budge. He tried to throw it on the flo...or, or give it to James or Daddy, but he had to eat it himself, not get someone else to do it for him. In the end he had to go to bed with no ice cream. I wanted with all my might to give him that "blessing" but I was bound by the earlier mandate. That must be how our Father in Heaven feels every day wanting with all His heart to give us the blessings we cry for...if only we will just do the SMALL things he asks, (like pray, being honest, or loving our neighbors) to just eat the one lonely noodle!

   I want to encourage you to set a goal that scares you and then turn to Christ--eat the noodle!!  He has lifted me in unexpected ways.  I am still working on actively turning to Christ.

I will also admit, I have set a second goal for March--4 days a week I'm going to complete my fly lady routine.  My goal is to get this keep my house cleaned without neglecting my children goal accomplished before I'm graduated to the level of trying to do it with 4 kids one of which is a nursing baby!!  I have decided that this is one of my on-going trials.  Every time I seem to get this down--the Lord graduates me to the next level.  Good job--now try doing it with this ... new child or while working too, ect.  But I would like a home where my children and their friends love to come.  I want this to be a safe haven.  I want my children to want to be at my house--and their friends want to come too: because here is a safe place both physically and spiritually.  Because it's fun here. Because the spirit of God dwells here.  Because they are loved and accepted here as they are but also encouraged to be just a little bit better.  So that I know where my children are and who they are and who their friends are too.  I want this.  And it's hard to play in a mess.  So I am working on this.  I thought about putting this goal off until April: one focus a month!!  But I'm not sure if I can physically in April.   So I'm doing it now.
Who knows what April will bring--but I'm actually looking forward to it.  And I like the way this year is going.
For those of you who are looking at 2012 goals, I'd like to remind you, as fly lady reminds me, "You are not behind! I don't want you to try to catch up; I just want you to jump in where we are. O.K.? Perfectionism is Shelved in 2012!"  So I say go back to work!! Enjoy this journey!!  And know you aren't alone.