A Year of Change

     Starting a new year is a lot like going to a play you've never heard of; you have absolutely no idea what to expect.    Maybe it will be the greatest love story ever told.  Perhaps it will be filled with drama and suspense.  You hope it will be fun and exciting, without being a comedy of errors.  

     2013 is no exception.  The only difference in the beginning of this year is the difference in my attitude.  Even though I don't usually make new year resolutions, this year I am making what I prefer to call, a new year declaration.   Since starting to blog, I have read, with interest, other bloggers whom, after much thought and prayer, choose one word to define their goals for the coming year.  I thought about this for a long time.   On the surface, it sounds like an easy concept.  It's not.  Not if you take it seriously.  If you take this seriously, you are publicly declaring your commitment to face the unknown year with a predetermined course of action or attitude.  In other words, depending on the one word you have chosen, it could affect your reaction to situations both in your control and out of your control.  I can do this.

     So, like those before me, I gave it much thought and prayer, and decided that the only logical word for me for 2013 was change. 

     After several years of slacking off and ignoring some health issues in hopes they would go away, which they didn't, it is time for a change.  It is also time that I make some personal decisions and changes in other areas, as well.  I don't expect to make all these changes overnight, but instead plan to make small changes gradually until they eventually become a way of life.

     My first change is writing this post.  I am extremely private when it comes to personal topics such as weight loss, exercising, monitoring my sugar, etc..  I guess I am embarrassed because I am horrible when it comes to taking care of myself.  Maybe if I put it out there in the open it will become more of a priority.  That is my goal, anyway.  So, in the spirit of full disclosure, here is my list of changes to work on for this year.

1.  Lose weight -  This is excruciatingly hard for me.  For health reasons I am not allowed to do any impact exercises.  That makes losing weight nearly impossible.  I have to learn to eat healthier.

2.  Exercise more - Being so limited as to what exercises I can do, it is very easy to make excuses not to do any.  I have to find something that works for me.  And before you suggest water exercises which I know are a great option, it is a 20 mile drive one way to the nearest indoor pool.

3.  Commit more time to Bible study and women's ministries.  I need to strengthen my faith by spending more time reading and studying my Bible.  I also want to help establish more programs for our women's ministry at church.  One resource that is an amazing source of inspiration for this is my association with iBloom.  Serving as an ambassador for them has renewed my excitement in serving others.

4.  Find a way to help other women who live daily with chronic pain, whether it be writing a book, a column, a blog or public speaking.

     Okay, I have just let you in on my most vulnerable dreams and desires.  My prayer is that in doing so I will hold myself more accountable.

     On a final note, I will have to tell you that so far, 2013 has not started out so well.  I have had bronchitis since the day after Christmas and now I am facing another unknown health issue.  I am praying it will turn out to be nothing but won't know until after next week.  I am praying for a positive outcome, but if not, my changes may come a little slower than I had hoped.  Either way, they will come, slow and steady.  I can do this.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat