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SALT LAKE CITY — I'm a fan of making New Year's Resolutions. At the beginning of each new year, I'm ready for a fresh start and almost crave sitting down and making a list of things I need to work on for the upcoming year. You could say I'm a list girl — if it weren't for my daily lists I'm pretty sure I would forget everything I need to do and wouldn't accomplish anything in life.
When it comes to resolutions for the New Year, it's almost comical how each year my list is very similar, if not almost exactly the same, as the previous year's (i.e. exercise more regularly, become more organized, get on a consistent cleaning schedule, finish a writing project, read more books, eat healthier, etc., etc., etc.)
So far in 2014, I've been working on these things among others and feel like I'm doing a pretty good job. But do you know what's funny? When I get on a frenzy trying to accomplish all the things I've set out to do while also keeping a perfectly clean and orderly house, I find there is something that usually begins to suffer — my patience with my children.
Not only that, but I don't notice them as much. I get caught up in all I'm doing and don't take the time to slow down and enjoy the endearing little things they do and say. Or I tell them I don't have time when they ask me to sit down and play a game with them. I get caught up in myself, which is ultimately hurting me more than anyone else.
Then last night I came across an article that caused me to rethink my list of resolutions completely. This article really puts life into perspective and made me ponder on what matters most.
"It's not that my list of resolutions weren't good, it's a matter of putting the important things first. For example, making sure my kids and spouse know I love them by my words and actions; keeping my relationships with parents, siblings and grandparents strong; and so on."
It's not that my list of resolutions weren't good, it's a matter of putting the important things first. For example, making sure my kids and spouse know I love them by my words and actions; keeping my relationships with parents, siblings and grandparents strong; and so on.
I am now in the process of editing and simplifying my list of resolutions. Not only that, but I am making a list of the most important things — my relationship resolutions.
At the end of the day, if my life were to flash before my eyes, tomorrow I know my thoughts wouldn't be on if I vacuumed that morning or ate spinach that day. They would be of my children, my husband, my family and my relationship with God. And I would want there to be no regrets.
After all this rethinking, I've come to an overall 2014 resolution that pretty much sums it all up: Remembering to put first things first.
Lindsay Ferguson has a degree in communication from the University of Utah and has been writing professionally for over eight years. A wife and mother of two children, she writes from home and keeps up a blog at www.lifeasamomuncut.blogspot.com.
