Here is a great quote as we contemplate the new year ahead of us and any possible resolutions (particularly on preparedness) that we might make.
“We seldom perform to the level of our knowledge. This brings me to the subject of resolutions—resolutions to conform our lives more closely to what we already know about the gospel. While many of us take seriously our New Year’s resolutions, some of us may not have made any because of our prior problems in keeping them. We must not overlook the power that making good resolutions can have in helping make our lives happier and more successful—regardless of our past performance” (Elder Joe J. Christensen, “Resolutions,” Ensign, Dec 1994, 62).
I love that, don’t you? “We must not overlook the power that making good resolutions can have in helping make our lives happier and more successful—regardless of our past performance.” Wow. What a powerful thought.
Isn’t it just like the adversary Satan [see footnote] would want — to have us give up in discouragement? What a potent tool to keep good folks from striving to do more! Discouragement works to keep many from attaining self-improvement.
The whole point of a Christlike life is to make ourselves more whole, more complete, more like Him. We don’t have to do it overnight. Life is a process, and so is growth. As you contemplate possible goals or resolutions for this new year, remember that a flower doesn’t bud overnight from a slender stalk.
Here are several suggestions for New Year’s resolutions or areas for growth during 2008 – at least for the category of “Preparedness” that this blog discusses:
- Completing your family’s 72-hour kits
- Finding/reading excellent preparedness books
- Aiding your community to become more prepared (i.e. establish a CERT group)
- Educational preparedness (take a class to build your work knowledge or resume)
- Learn a living-off-the-land skill (i.e. growing medicinal herbs, foraging for food, chopping wood)
- Increase your physical preparedness (i.e. eat healthier foods, exercise)
- Incorporate new food storage recipes (set a goal for a certain amount by the end of the year)
- Increase your spiritual preparedness (i.e. read your scriptures a certain amount during the new year)
- Add medical supplies to your year’s supply by the end of the next year
- Add pet supplies to your year’s supply
- Add toiletry supplies to your year’s supply
- Complete either your three months or one year’s food supply.
These are simple suggestions. You might have better ones. Don’t plan on accomplishing them all; just pick one. Decide on a goal that is simple, straightforward, and easily achievable, so that by the end of next year you will have done it! You will have actually accomplished one of your New Year’s resolutions! And in a life-saving category. The important thing is that you do it.
Your family will count you most blessed for it.
(1.) “Satan lives. We must realize that he lives just as certainly as God lives and as we live. Those who teach that there is no devil are either ignorant of the facts or are deceivers” (ElRay L. Christiansen, “Power Over Satan,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 22).
This article was originally published in December 2007. Minor changes have been made.
