54% of Americans don't keep their new year's Resolutions past six months. So how are you doing so far? Do you ever catch yourself promising that you'll start your new year's resolutions next week? If you struggle with finding the right time to start or sticking to your planned lifestyle changes, then consider making a new year's bucket list instead of broad-sweeping resolutions.
This list will help you select specific activities and set smaller goals that will increase your confidence in making changes as you accomplish each one. Once you master the little things and allow these actions to become good habits, set your eyes on the bigger items on your bucket list. Go at your own pace and be patient with yourself!
Here's a few suggestions to start that list:
- Create a Giving Jar for friends/family/coworkers. Use any clean empty jar or container, and fill it with candy, snacks, notes, jokes, or Bible quotes, with the only instruction to fill it again once it is emptied and pass it on to someone else.
- Count your blessings daily on a cash register receipt or notebook, read it through the following Thanksgiving.
- Send cards to deployed soldiers for each upcoming holiday.
- Shovel your neighbor's driveway/walkway, or help someone clear the snow off his or her car (or hire someone to do it). Help them with mowing and trimming brush in the Spring and Fall.
- Make cookies for your local police and firefighters.
- Go caroling at a nursing home (not just for the Christmas season, residents love having singing visitors any time of year!). If you're not musically inclined, try stepping in to help out with crafts, or come equipped with a list of questions to ask, such as, "What was your most memorable Christmas?" "If you could travel anywhere, where would you want to go?" "Describe your perfect birthday party." Let them take the lead. Ask the staff who most needs a visitor. In this type of service, don't be surprised if you find yourself receiving more than you have given through adopting a new mentor and friend.
- Deliver hot chocolate (or lemonade in the warmer months) to those fundraising for the poor such as scouts, church groups, firemen, etc.
- Be a secret Santa for a family in need (again, this isn't exclusive to the Christmas season. Be inspired by St. Nicholas!) In our parish we had a family start a program to provide groceries for families in need by buying them wholesome healthy food items (instead of 100 boxes of Ramen noodles).
- Over tip your server/hairdresser.
- Donate hygiene items for a homeless or women's shelter and pregnancy crisis center.
- Leave a gift for your mail carrier.
- Offer to babysit your friends' children for free.
- Call and check in on that friend. You know who. Work on nurturing those friendships you value.
- Deliver craft kits, blowing bubbles, or balloons to a children's hospital.
- Try these changes to your CatholicMatch profile. Become a more active member through participation in online-forums, commenting on articles, and sending messages to members!
- Sign up here to pray more novenas. Remember to pray for the souls in Purgatory, the protection of sacrament of marriage, and the restoration and legal protection of the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.
Let this bucket list be a conversation starter with another CatholicMatch member. Who knows who you will bond with over a common mutual goal? Maybe it'll be your future spouse!
Brainstorm more ideas with other members to create your personalized list, and help each other accomplish them by following up with one another on a weekly basis. This type of communal support will help you stay honest with your goals, as well as provide you practice for building up a community of mutual respect and concern. At the very least, you'll make another friend while bringing the light of Christ to others.
Why is it important to make any kind of resolution? In marriage you'll find countless opportunities to stretch your comfort zone as your daily life is negotiated with your spouse (and with each child you welcome).
The best way to practice this negotiation now as a single person is to start making those habits in your thoughts and actions to be other-oriented. Start with those items you know are easiest to manage, and then slowly build up to trying one of the more challenging tasks once a month or even once a season. Remember what Blessed Mother Teresa said, "God does not require us to succeed; He only requires that you try."
