resolution road

Some thoughts concerning resolutions have been skipping around in my head; year after year I have felt obligated to have some. In essence, have goals to try and accomplish in that year to move forward, to grow. I have always loved the idea of growing every year so I would become the person I was "supposed" to be. This burden was continually weighing on my mind : be better, live better, feel better. If I wasn't improving in life, well, that means I'm getting worse at it. And THAT was unacceptable. Regression was unacceptable to me, so I was in a constant state of frustration with myself. But my biggest problem was that everything that did not feel like growth was regression. Sitting, waiting, living in the tension meant something was wrong.

What lies I believed for so long. Thankfully, the past two years I have been learning that tension is the opposite of regression! Actually,  it is in the tension that growth especially occurs because you're forced to rely completely on Jesus to bring you to new life in areas that need growth. It's in the tension that God speaks directly to your soul, and you are in season to hear with open ears what He has to say. He is moving, transforming, and renewing you! He was renewing me, but I did not understand what was really happening during those times for many years. 

So thinking about resolutions this year, I feel pretty different about how to approach them than years past. Yes, I want to grow in all areas of my life, but now the pressures and burden I once felt has been lifted because I know that God is transforming my heart. I am asking and waiting for Him to show me where I need to change while trusting Him with my desires and goals. I love what I wrote last year on my post with a list of resolutions, "They may or may not all come to pass and for the first time I'm ok with that because I know and am choosing to believe that God goes before us this year."  High-fiving myself here because It's time to enjoy the ride! I will not beat myself up for not getting everything right, or not measuring up to others I admire. God is with me, he goes before me and in Him I rest. In Him I live. In Him, I am free! Free to mess up, learn and grow in His time. Free to travel on this resolution road.

One particular goal that never seems to leave my list of resolutions is getting fit and eating healthy. And I am sure you can relate! After the holidays I just feel heavier. I can't even tell you how many times I have called myself a whale the past three weeks! (I know..I know) But this year, mainly because we are in a MUCH warmer climate and school no longer takes up most of my time, I feel so motivated to get active and eat well. The desire is coming from within and not from me forcing any burdens on myself. So in these few photos I celebrate the start of a change captured on my first jog of 2015. It's the start of new life for this 24 year old body of mine.

What goals/resolutions/changes do you want to see happen this year?
As one wise Pinterest quote once said, "progress, not perfection."

First smoothie of the year! 

one cup of water

one mango

one large banana

one 5 oz. container of vanilla Greek yogurt (I use TJ's brand)

blend all ingredients till smooth