New Years Day

It's the start of a new year. But it's not just any year. It's Two Thousand and Twelve. 2012 BABY. It's the year I thought would never come. My prom is this year. I'm graduating this year. I'm starting college this year. Two things I've looked forward to these things since I was about 10 years old. And it's here. I normally am not one to get my hopes up but I am now. I have high hopes for 2012. I can feel it. It's going to be a good year. And since it's the start of a new year it means the start of new goals. My goals this year are pretty similar to every other year. And I wanna say "I'm actually going to do them this time though." I have reason explaining why I've chosen each goal of mine this year though. I've put thought into them- making sure each goal is realistic and worthy of spending my energy on. I feel though the goals I have made for 2012 are realistic but also necessary for me to do.

"When you set a goal and commit yourself to the necessary self-discipline to reach that goal, you will eliminate most of the problems in your life. Spend your energies doing those things that will make a difference.We have to have faith. We have to have faith in God. We have to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And oh, how desperately we have to have faith in ourselves."
Elder M. Russell Ballard

GOALS

Pray at least 2x daily. I want to be closer to God and be able to rely on Him. I know I trust prayer and I know how important it is but I want to routinely pray. I want to thank God in my prayers more. I want to express my gratitude for all the blessings in my life.
Stop biting my nails. Now this is of course a physical goal. And in the long run I understand physical goals are not as important as mental and spiritual goals. But year after year of putting this down on my list of resolutions for the year this is now ever more important. I think achieving this goal will prove to myself I can do anything when I set my mind to it. I know that I probably can, but I want to prove it to myself this year. I want to stop this horrible nasty habit.
Improve my scripture study. Year after year I put down "read scriptures daily." And I have not ever met this goal. So I'm not putting it down. I'm tired of putting down the same goals and not achieving them. Instead I decided I'd rather change the way I read. Instead of reading I want to study the words of God. I want to learn how I can apply everything to my life. I want to know the stories like I know Harry Potter. And while this could come through daily scripture reading I think it can also come through diligent regular study. And I feel as though I am more likely to achieve this. I think at least weekly I'd like to really study the scriptures and learn something new. I am trying to set realistic goals, they may not be perfect but it's what I think I can handle.
Stop caring what others think of my appearance. Instead of getting dressed in the morning for others I want to get dressed for me. I want to get ready so that I feel good about myself. I want to stop putting cute outfits together and doing my makeup and hair so that others compliment me. This kind of goes along with me wanting to stop needing compliments. I concider myself a confident person but then I realize how much I depend on others to compliment me, even the little "I like your makeup today" makes a difference to me for a week. I want to not care so much about what others think and instead be happy with how I look for myself. I want to please myself more.

Now that's only 4 goals. In years past I will make a resolution list of like 15 things, and I am lucky if I get 2 or 3. This year I didn't make many. But I put thought into each one, and how I can do them. I think that's an important part of making New Years Resolutions. I think you need to really figure out what you want to change about yourself. Then you need to make a plan. And you need to have a checkpoint in your plan to make sure you are on track. I have it all set. And I'm going to change this year. I'm going to achieve what I set. It's 2012. It's the year I've been looking forward to since forever. I'm ready to make it a great year and part of that will be achieving the goals I set for myself today.