Today is January 4^th, 2012.  Today is a great day.  This past year has been a whirlwind.  Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to visit me at the Christmas Shows or chose to buy the book.  Not to mention all the people that helped me this past Christmas season.  My life has changed considerably in terms of new experiences, but I would like to think, I have not changed in my focus.  How about you?

Every New Year should bring a new beginning.  Not just for losing weight, but a new beginning of a life that will be lived to the fullest this year and beyond.  So many of us get caught up in everyday life that we awake January 1^st and go, “Where did the year go”?  When I stayed home, taking care of my kids, life seemed to be a never ending series of days.  Kids, school, sports, shows, cooking, cleaning, and all the other things that took my time rolled on in an endless wave.  Bed brought respite and the morning brought chaos.  I loved those years, but now I realize that I should have taken a little bit more time for me.  Not a huge spell of time, just a little.  I did my quiet time on most days, but I look back and realize that I needed more.  Laundry, dishes, the floors and other chores should have been put back in my list of things to do and my time should have been put higher.  Today if I could go back to that time period, I would have bought almost nothing in terms of toys, clothes and things. Having to take care of anything but the bare minimum was not a smart thing for me.  It took away from living and my goals and from the new beginnings I always strove for.

Now, I am wiser.  I have my writing and my goal of sharing this world by giving.  Every day is a beautiful day when you are living by giving.

So, today is a great day.  As Ecclesiastes 3:1 and The Byrd’s song Turn, Turn, Turn says, there is a time for everything.    Make your time to build and dream today and this year.  How do you do that?  Below are some small steps that I know work.  The first one requires a bit of time, but the others are very easy and require at the most 15 – 30 minutes of time.  Take the time, your chores and work shall always be there!

CLEAN OUT THE EXTRA POSSESIONS.  I know it is January and spring cleaning is a lifetime away but now is the best time to get rid of the clutter.  It is the perfect time to take two hours a day for one week, or two Saturdays, to share the extra stuff you have.  Whatever you accomplish in that time is perfect.  Some of you may have to put more time in but whichever time you spend, please be happy with what you accomplish.  This is not a race and pats on the back are important. Plus it is great to show your kids the importance of getting rid of stuff.   Kids love to give so get them involved in giving.  Have your kids keep the bare minimum and give the remaining things to a shelter, or the Salvation Army.  Make it fun with lots of music and GET RID OF THE POSSESSIONS THAT ARE POSSESSING YOU!

GET UP 15 MINUTES EARLY TO READ A DEVOTIONAL BOOK.  A great devotional book does not take long to read.  It is usually one page per day and you don’t have to get out of bed to read it!   I have a great one by Joel Osteen, but there are many others.  Our Daily Bread is another great one you can order online, or you may have something inspirational you love that you have never gotten around to reading.  Reading a devotional first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day and set your mind to the blessings that surround us all.  When the kids were little, I read a small devotional page when we were all together eating breakfast.  It was fast and fun and I never did anything but read it so they didn’t get lots of me “preaching” as moms can often do.

STRETCH YOUR BODY.  Every animal we have had stretches when they get up…you should too. Even today my two dogs do “downward dog” as soon as they stand.  If it is only a minute of stretching you deserve it.

DRINK A HUGE GLASS OF WATER.  Most of us would think that this is a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many people don’t drink water in the morning.  Most people grab a coffee or tea.  Refresh your body….it needs it.

TAKE TIME DURING THE DAY TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE, WRITE, OR LEARN A SKILL.  AND EXCERSIZE.  This seems like a huge task.  But it is not as big a task as you think.  15 minutes a day is all you need to write, learn a language, or learn a new skill and the recommended goal of 30 is what you should have for exercise.  If you only get 15 minutes of exercise than woo hoo! 15 minutes is better than nothing.

These are things that build you up little by little.  So if you did these small things everyday…..what would your life look like on January 4, 2013?  What if you taught your kids this, what would their life look like at the end of one year?

Happy New Year Everyone and remember today is a great day.

XO

Kelly