New Year's Resolutions

As the New Year approaches, in our family (the adults) start to think about New Year's Resolutions. On the New Years Eve, my husband and I sit down and review our goals for the present year and write our goals for the New Year. Of course we haven't kept all of our old goals, but we are hopeful and determined that we will do better the next year. Here is a quote from Elder Joe Christensen from the Seventy regarding the importance of having goals despite of past performance, "We must not overlook the power that making good resolutions can have in helping make our lives happier and more successful- regardless of our past performance."

This is the guideline we follow to set our goals:
In Luke 2:52 we read, Jesus increased in wisdom and statue, and in favor with God and man.
We set one big goal or three small ones in the following areas based on this scripture:
Wisdom= Intellectually (example "Get a GPA of 3.7 in school" or "Read five books outside of school books")
Statue= Physically (example "Exercise three times a week" or "Lose five pounds")
Favor with God= Spiritually (example "Personal scripture study for 30 minutes daily" or " Attend the Temple every month" or "Do something for someone else daily")
Favor with man= Socially (example "Go on a date every week" or "Make three new friends")
 Thomas S. Monson has said about setting goals "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates"

Remember to set SMART goals:
S--> Specific
M--> Measurable
A--> Achievable
R--> Result driven
T--> Time specific

Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true!!
Warmly,
Juliana

What do you think about New Year's Resolutions? How do you set goals? Have they worked for you? Share your comments with me!!

About me

A couple of months ago, I was seriously considering starting a blog, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about. I wanted to write about things that other people could find valuable information when reading the blog. 

I decided I was going to write about SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES. The General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have spoken about using the internet to inspire people through spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

In a commencement address given at BYU-Hawaii, December 2007, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve said, “Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true. … You do not speak for the church as a whole. You speak as one member, but you testify of the truths you have come to know.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, offered a similar message in his April 2011 general conference address, "Waiting on the road to Damascus".

“With so many social media resources and a multitude of more or less useful gadgets at our disposal, sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before,” President Uchtdorf said. “My dear young friends, perhaps the Lord’s encouragement to ‘open (your) mouths’ might today include ‘use your hands’ to blog and text the message of the gospel to all the world … all at the right time and the right place.”

I am going to share the truths that I know to be true!!

I am the mother of a 9-month old baby girl, who is my world and my joy. I am going to share about motherhood. Even though I don't have much experience having only one child, I love reading books, so I will be sharing some book reviews as well.

I am going to share my talents with you. It may include cooking, painting, sewing, crafts etc.

Lastly, I want to use this blog as a way to connect with other people and hear their opinions. So please share your comments with me!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and please stop by anytime!!

Warmly,

Juliana Hoxha