Last year, I had goals. BIG goals. To FAST from one thing every month. Part of the deal to myself was that I would fast and then blog about it each month. My fasting started out strong... but ended sub-par. My fasts: January: Social Media February: Negativity March: Alcohol April: Eating Out May: June: The radio July: coffee August: Starbucks |
September was SUPPOSED to be competing... but I had the amazing opportunity to compete in my first Olympic Triathlon in Tempe the second weekend of September... something that I felt like I couldn't pass up for my triathlon career. However, I did use this month to reflect on my training and WHY I train.
October was SUPPOSED to be out of town traveling, but again, I had the opportunity to visit my parents over fall break who had just moved to Tennessee for my stepdad's new job. Again, an opportunity that I felt I couldn't pass up since my parents wouldn't be an easy 5 hour drive from me anymore.
In November, things got rough for me personally. My fasting goals started to take the back burner to my other life priorities (work, training, relationships, etc). And then the opportunity to invest in a house came up, and I found myself spending a majority of the last month of the year in my move.
As we got closer and closer to 2019, I knew I needed to get back to my daily reflection and bible study, that I stopped doing back in September. I started to reflect, to pray, to write again. The prospect of 2019 gave me a new spark of inspiration.
My girlfriend, Taylor, and I rang in the New Year in Vegas at Lady Gaga's second day opening of her Enigma Tour. A show she put on the storyline of her finding her true self. And after the inspiring show, standing in the middle of the strip with thousands of other people counting down, I felt the magic of my favorite holiday. The magic of a new year, a new chapter, ahead of me.
So... 2019? What is in store? For me, it's getting back to my daily quiet time of Scripture reading, reflection, and journaling. Even if it's just 20 minutes a day... that's what I want to make a reality again. I want to get through the entire New Testament by December 31st, 2019 and have a deeper understanding of God, my faith, and myself.
Along with all of that, I want to challenge myself each month to be a better version of myself. I want to make each day meaningful... to supply just one task to each day.. one CHALLENGE to each day. And with each challenge or task, I can ensure I am making THE MOST of each and every day that God gives to me
JANUARY: The Kindness Challenge
October was SUPPOSED to be out of town traveling, but again, I had the opportunity to visit my parents over fall break who had just moved to Tennessee for my stepdad's new job. Again, an opportunity that I felt I couldn't pass up since my parents wouldn't be an easy 5 hour drive from me anymore.
In November, things got rough for me personally. My fasting goals started to take the back burner to my other life priorities (work, training, relationships, etc). And then the opportunity to invest in a house came up, and I found myself spending a majority of the last month of the year in my move.
As we got closer and closer to 2019, I knew I needed to get back to my daily reflection and bible study, that I stopped doing back in September. I started to reflect, to pray, to write again. The prospect of 2019 gave me a new spark of inspiration.
My girlfriend, Taylor, and I rang in the New Year in Vegas at Lady Gaga's second day opening of her Enigma Tour. A show she put on the storyline of her finding her true self. And after the inspiring show, standing in the middle of the strip with thousands of other people counting down, I felt the magic of my favorite holiday. The magic of a new year, a new chapter, ahead of me.
So... 2019? What is in store? For me, it's getting back to my daily quiet time of Scripture reading, reflection, and journaling. Even if it's just 20 minutes a day... that's what I want to make a reality again. I want to get through the entire New Testament by December 31st, 2019 and have a deeper understanding of God, my faith, and myself.
Along with all of that, I want to challenge myself each month to be a better version of myself. I want to make each day meaningful... to supply just one task to each day.. one CHALLENGE to each day. And with each challenge or task, I can ensure I am making THE MOST of each and every day that God gives to me
JANUARY: The Kindness Challenge
- Write a thank you card “just because”
- Surprise a friend with a gift
- Speak to a person who seems lonely
- Spread awareness about a cause you believe in
- Buy/give something to a homeless person
- Offer to babysit or help out any struggling parent you know
- Leave a funny note in a library book to make someone smile
- Donate to a charity or cause
- Write a list of reasons why you love someone and then give it to them
- Make a nice comment to a retailer employee
- Spend one day saying only positive things about people
- Make sure everyone feels included today.
- Compliment a stranger or someone you work with that you don’t know very well
- Tell three people that you admire something about them
- Make it a point to smile at at least three people today… just because
- Send a card or letter (or call) to a relative you haven’t talked to in a while
- Volunteer to do something you normally wouldn’t
- Pick up any litter that you happen to walk by today
- Write a very nice comment on someone’s instagram or facebook post
- Leave a nice treat or note for the mailman in your mailbox
- Write a letter for someone important to you just to say thank you
- Have a meaningful conversation with someone and ask them how they are doing/how is there day
- Call your parents and tell them that you love them
- Put everyone before yourself in everything that you do today
- Bring a treat to share with your coworkers
- Give your partner some extra love today
- Ask someone what they need prayer for
- Have at least one conversation about Jesus
- Write to someone who is going through a tough time
- Encase this day in prayer. Pray especially for the people you are having a tough time with.
- Monthly Reflection