A New Me For The New Year

So a lot of the times we tend to make new year resolutions and plan to do things that we didn't do last year. Most of the time we never complete our new year resolutions. I think the main reason why make these resolutions is because we want to do something new, something unexpected, something that will make this year stand out. Most of all I think everyone want to change things and make this year better than last year.

I'm not saying its bad to make new year resolutions but I think its more important to change ourselves to be a better you this year. These resolutions are usually: Lose weight, travel, go skydiving. What if we planned to make changes within ourselves, like: Do something nice for someone or Cook breakfast for a family member. I think its way better for us to be better people than complete a list of resolutions that don't do anything than just check something off our bucket list.

I truly believe that without an encounter with Jesus Christ there is no way we can change and remove those bad habits we may have or get rid of any sins that may still have a hold on us. When you encounter Christ all those sins just fade away and all that is left is a God fearing person that lives to praise God. When you let go of all the grief, pain, or anger in your life you truly can change from being bound by sin and living a new life full of freedom.

I encourage you to do this and let go of all the things that is keeping you down and in sin. Sin can be as little as a silly TV show that you can't stop watching or being on facebook too long, or it can be as big as watching pornography and you may think it is not affecting your life at all but the truth is that any sin keeps us away from God and distracted to where we don't even see what is right and wrong. When you decide to give those things up and choose to follow Christ you will truly and fully become a NEW person and all that starts with an encounter with Jesus.

According to Wikipedia,

A New Year's resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year's Day

Success rate

A comprehensive study commissioned by Australian comparison website finder.com.au in 2014 of more than 2,000 people found that 42% of participants set themselves a New Years' Resolution however, most failed at their goals. In fact, the study showed that almost two in three people (62%) didn't succeed with their resolutions. Interestingly, out of those who did achieve their resolutions three in four participants (76%) believed that sharing their goals, for example on a social networking service, helped reach them.

The most common reason for participants failing their New Years' Resolutions was setting themselves unrealistic goals (35%), while 33% didn't keep track of their progress and a further 23% forgot about it. About one in 10 respondents claimed they made too many resolutions.

A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study's participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

It is also noted that talking with a counselor about setting goals and new year resolutions can help people keep their resolutions

Read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution

If you truly want to become a New You then you will have to make some changes in your life. First thing is change the way you think. A lot of the times we make plans to lose weight or eat better but then we tend to give up and give into those donuts or chocolate. So definitely change the way you think. Make yourself think positively. Believe in yourself and believe that you can and will accomplish your goal.

Second, make sure you do the right steps to avoid giving up. A good idea is to print a picture of a fit person and put it somewhere you can see it everyday. It will motivate you to not give up and to keep going and keep working out and eating clean. If your goal or resolution is to be happier or less stressed out then get a jar and put funny jokes or dares that will keep you interested and aware of your surroundings.

Lastly, make sure you tell your relatives and people where you live of your goal. This will be the best thing you do. They can help you achieve your goal and keep you on task. Moral support is one of the best things you can have to complete your resolutions. if you have someone who will keep you on your toes and watch out for you it always is great. It will also make you feel like you are not alone in this.

Ephesians 4:22

"So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to, the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires."

I'll leave you with this verse and as always its best to depend on God for everything because he will never forsake you! God Bless and good luck with your resolutions.