I hesitate to make resolutions as they tend to come across as disingenuous and are so often ignored, tucked away and never thought about after January. But I do believe it’s worthwhile to reflect and recognize areas that are a struggle for me, how I can work to improve my faith, marriage, mind, and heart. I’ll refrain from looking back on 2014, a painful year following several others just like it, with sadness and regret, but instead look to the year ahead with clarity and hope. Though I haven’t been perfect at it, I’m looking forward to continuing the efforts I wrote about on my first entry on this blog–to appreciate and see beyond life’s messiness and reveal what’s meaningful and genuine.

It is my hope to: Be myself without fear. // Buy less and save more. Live without. // Read no less than two books a month. More non-fiction. // Write more outside the blog. // Let the good in others outweigh the bad or the offense. // Forgive. // Cultivate an atmosphere of peace at home. // Be a thoughtful, generous wife. // Guard against complaining and negativity as a default response. // Try to make friends and accept that it will be difficult. // Spend more time outdoors. // Be less judgmental, more gracious. Do not withhold love. // Collage. // Dedicate time away from technology. Be undistracted. // Simplify my life, and my belongings. // Practice gratitude. Remember to be present and content.

More than anything, this year I endeavor to be a kinder, gentler person, less swayed by sinful emotions and more motivated by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ.

Happy New Year, indeed.