New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year!!

Wow! I cannot believe 2010 has ended and we are starting a brand new year already. Looking back to this past year, a lot of ups and downs, but it was a great year nonetheless. Some of the most wonderful memories made in 2010, some of the most meaningful relationships developed, and all in all, a year of both personal and spiritual growth for me.

With the beginning of a new year comes a desire to set resolution(s) for the year. What really is a resolution, but more specific, what is a new year resolution? "A new year resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit...generally a goal someone sets to accomplish in the coming year." I view a resolution as some sort of road map that will help guide the course of action one wishes to undertake on this 'journey' we call life. And what a journey it has been so far!

I spent sometime...a lot of time actually trying to come up with a resolution for this year; I wanted to have one that was encompassing-focusing on not just one but all aspects of my life at this point. It came down to this: "To live life to the fullest." Big deal, right! Yes, and very ambitious you might be thinking. I know I was, and still am. What does it actually mean to "live life to the fullest"?

I believe that my life has a purpose, a plan destined by Papa above (Jeremiah 29:11). I believe that as I strive to live my life according to His plan and purpose, He does immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and things work out for good (Romans 8:28). In that my friends, lies the secret to living life to the fullest, but it's no secret any more...now you know :-) I am going to live my life to the fullest by standing on the promises of God!

As I live my life to the fullest this year, I want to, with God's help and guidance: pray more, love more, care more, laugh more, cry more (yes, I believe it is healthy once in a while to let tears flow), play more, share more, give more, serve more, listen more and talk less. I want to make the most of my remaining time at AU as I begin my last undergraduate semester and look to graduate in May. I want to be a better son, a better brother, friend, classmate, roommate, colleague. I want to be a better servant, a better leader and example to those that Papa has placed in my area of responsibility. I want live out my personal mission, "striving to live a life of faith and love by living out the love of Christ in my day to day life."

That is my resolution for this year, so help me God.