We’ve reached the point in January where we transition from looking back at the year that was and start looking forward at the year that will be. We recognize that all those resolutions we set during the fireworks might have been a little too lofty. We start to look at what we want to do with our feet back on the ground. We can set real goals and start to affect real change. Looking at your life and recognizing the things that are going well and the things you want to improve is important. We should all have goals that we are working towards. Even if sometimes that goal is to do less.
I ran across a quote recently that said, “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” And we hate to hear this. We can’t just think really hard about it and win the lottery, but that seems to be the “plan” we often choose. We give up after counting a fraction of the cost to get from where we are to where we want to be.
To reach some of those goals, I want to encourage you to do the hardest thing in the world: Ask for help. Even the most personal goals can be supported and sustained by asking for encouragement from other people. If you know how easily you would help someone close to you, you know how quickly you would be there to answer THEIR call. I hope you also know that there are people who would do the same for you.
1 John 3:16-18 says, 16 By this we know love, that he [Jesus] laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees their brother or sister in need, yet closes their heart against them, how does God's love abide in them? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
You are not a burden. Your goals are important. People want to join you in the journey of self-improvement. Set a goal and make a plan to reach it together. You can get by with a little help from your friends.