For some of us, it might be the same thing every year. For others, it might be something completely new and different. A new year offers us all an opportunity for a new beginning. It gives all of us an incentive to examine those areas in our lives that can use some improvement and then do something about it.
According to several polls, these 5 New Year’s resolutions rank consistently high year after year.
Spend More Time With Family – Most of us would like to spend more time with our loved ones. We’d like to play with our kids more, talk with them more, and just do more things with them. We’d like to spend more time with our spouses. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known by some as the Mormon Religion), places a strong emphasis on the family. As members of the Church, we set aside one evening a week to spend with our families. During this time we may read and study scriptures, or we may play board games and do other fun activities. We can also use this time to do a family service project for another family in our neighborhood. We refer to this time as Family Home Evening. Even if you’re not a Mormon you and your family can still set aside one evening a week for family time. You might call it Family Game Night, or simply Family Time. Ideas for Family Home Evening nights are readily available online for free. You can take these ideas and adapt it for your family or your family can come up with your own ideas on how to spend this time. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded us of the importance of families; “In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. From the very beginning the Lord has established the importance of the family organization for us.”
Here are some resources to help you get started on your Family Time.
LDS Family Home Evening Ideas
Family Night: Simple and Powerful
Games For The Whole Family
Families With Purpose
Be Physically Fit – “The healthy man, who takes care of his physical being, has strength and vitality; his temple is a fit place for his spirit to reside…It is necessary therefore for us to care for our physical bodies, and to observe the laws of physical health and happiness.” (President David O. Mckay) Being physically fit is as important to Mormons as it is to everyone else. Here are some resources that can help us achieve our fitness goals in 2008.
Fit Day
How to Lose Weight
How To Lose and Manage Weight
Peer Trainer
Be Debt Free – “…I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Prophet and current President of the Church) Many of us have debts. Some debts are necessary, but many others are simply the result of some poor choices we made based on wants rather than needs. Here are a few online resources that offer ideas and advice on how to begin to pay off debts and be completely debt-free.
Ten Tips to Getting Out of Debt
Getting Out of Debt
How To Get Out Of Debt
Enjoy Life More – We know from the Scriptures that “Men are that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25) Many of us today live hectic and stressful lives and some seem to find no joy at all in life. Most of us yearn for more time to enjoy life and to appreciate what we’re blessed with thus far. In a beautiful speech titled Finding Joy in Life, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles challenged us to take time to see the beautiful world around us, and by doing so we can begin to discover joy in life:
Do you take time to discover each day how beautiful your life can be? How long has it been since you watched the sun set? The departing rays kissing the clouds, trees, hills, and lowlands good night, sometimes tranquilly, sometimes with exuberant bursts of color and form. What of the wonder of a cloudless night when the Lord unveils the marvels of His heavens—the twinkling stars, the moonlight rays—to ignite our imagination with His greatness and glory? How captivating to watch a seed planted in fertile soil germinate, gather strength, and send forth a tiny, seemingly insignificant sprout. Patiently it begins to grow and develop its own character led by the genetic code the Lord has provided to guide its development. With care it surely will become what it is destined to be: a lily, crowned with grace and beauty; a fragrant spearmint plant; a peach; an avocado; or a beautiful blossom with unique delicacy, hue, and fragrance. When last did you observe a tiny rosebud form? Each day it develops new and impressive character, more promise of beauty until it becomes a majestic rose. You are one of the noblest of God’s creations. His intent is that your life be gloriously beautiful regardless of your circumstances. As you are grateful and obedient, you can become all that God intends you to be.
How To Enjoy Life
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Get a Better Education or Learn Something New – Teach ye diligently … of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—that ye may be prepared in all things. (D&C 88:78-80)
The Mormon Religion places great importance on learning. As Mormons we are encouraged to seek both spiritual learning and secular learning, to educate our minds, hearts, and hands.
In today’s fast paced and ever changing world, more and more adults are realizing the need for either furthering their education or learning a new skill completely. Fortunately, there are now many opportunities that cater to the needs of working adults. Here are some resources that can help you on your way if this is something you’re considering.
