I have always had odd New Year’s resolutions. I often include the traditional goals of losing weight and exercising more but I have usually added resolutions twisted around the craziness of my life.
(By the way, have you seen the All State commercials with “Mayhem”? He started 2018 by only doing good deeds. Earlier this week we saw the latest commercial – the Mayhem character was shocked to learn that the rest of the world had broken their resolutions by the 2nd week of January. With this new insight into human nature Mayhem has returned to his old ways of creating chaos and problems – what a shock!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQU4DuB-Mw8&sns=em
As I prayed about 2018 my heart and mind kept returning to one phrase: “stop wasting time.” I cannot get away from that charge. And so, it begins!
Lifehack has published their 20 top time wasters. Any of these strike a chord in your life?
1. Facebook
3. Photo taking, organizing, uploading, and posting
5. Momento-gathering
7. Personal Grooming (not personal hygiene)
9. Exercise (hmmmm…
10. Affairs (insane!!)
11. Playing games
12. TV
13. Watching movies
14. YouTube
15. Going for coffee
16. Being sick
17. Reading junky books
18. Commuting
19. Shopping
20. Online shopping
21. Accounting
22. Organizing/moving files on your computer
23. Cleaning house
24. Obsessions
Ok, I must admit that a couple of those hit really close to home. But, to be honest, I am pretty creative at devising my own, peculiar time wasters. We humans are like that – we can get really proficient at the habits that are not good for us.
My goal in 2018 is to be purposeful in my actions (and inactions). Rather than set a long list of “to do’s”, I plan to do only two things – praise God and obey Him.
I’ll give you updates as the year progresses.
What are your plans for 2018?
(“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9)
Dr. Carla Jill Stein 
Alie and I refer to ourselves as CDO, which is obsessive compulsive disorder, but alphabetically. I resolve to be more relaxed about my resolutions.
Love it! All things in moderation, my Friend.
Ps. I love your blog!!
Hmmm…creating more resolutions… let me know how that goes for you. 😉
Facebook! And telling my toddler “No, dont jump off the couch! No you can’t have candy. Please stop taking ONE bite of the Apples!…”
Love it! But, don’t stop teaching your little one those important lessons. We really don’t need more couch-jumping, candy eating, one bite of an apple living adults!
For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts.
I think whoever put the lifehack together is full of baloney. The only things he didn’t put on the list are sex, going to work and watching sports and talking about them constantly – obviously a man. He keeps his nose to the grindstone and works 12 hour days, seven days a week. I would not want to work for him or live with him – what a stressful bore. Most of the things on the list are good for people (in moderation) and some are downright stupid to be on the list – being sick? – exercising? – cleaning house? Years ago, the pope said working too hard drains the sole. More important, God said moderation in all things, including work and play and rest.
I love the connection you made to the mayhem commercials. I tend to tune out commercials, so missed the message. Now I will pay attention next time it come on. Thanks
Tena
On Thu, Jan 11, 2018 at 3:38 PM, Dr. Carla Jill Stein wrote:
> Dr. Carla Jill Stein posted: “I have always had odd New Year’s > resolutions. I often include the traditional goals of losing weight and > exercising more but I have usually added resolutions twisted around the > craziness of my life. (By the way, have you seen the All State commercials > w” >
Tena, I agree – Moderation can make such a difference. A time waster for one person can be an important tool of relaxation to another. At times, I have become too “passionate” (hate to say “obsessed”) about a hobby or an activity and then had to learn to put it into its proper place. I can turn anything into a time waster! If I stay close to Him and follow His guidance, God will lead me to live a life of purpose and balance.