Making Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This is the day everyone makes new year's resolutions, but it can be a very constructive time to talk with your child. Remember the things you did over the last year. Talk about the things they have learned and how they've matured. Look at photo books. Ask them what was the best thing about the last year and what was the worst.

Look toward the next year. Sort through toys and clothes. Give away, pack away, or throw away outgrown or worn-out things to make room for the new ones. Rearrange their bedroom. Clean out the closet. Talk about some things they would like to learn or accomplish this year. Don't let them feel like they are making a vow, but that they will strive toward something new and exciting.

Talk about how God directs our ways. We can make plans and goals and schedules, but God may change those plans according to His will. We shouldn't get upset, but realize that He knows best for our lives. We should wake each morning with gratefulness and anticipation of what He will give that day. Life is a wonderful gift from God. We should rejoice for all He has done and will do for us!


Recipe for a Happy New Year
(anonymous)

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.