The new year has arrived, and many are speaking out about resolutions, goals, promises to keep...and it seems to be the same ritual year after year. "I started my diet," "I am going to exercise..." in our home we did not make resolutions, yet, we created challenges. Challenges for our minds, bodies, and even our soul.
My Challenges:
Enter into, and run a 10k-how good to feels to run!
Read my Bible daily-I have a thirst for more and more when it comes to what the Bible offers me.
Not cut my hair for the entire year-To donate. There are women, and children battling cancer...losing their hair, and I complain if mine is not perfect. We as women spend thousands of dollars cutting, coloring, straightening, etc. there are women who wold love to just have hair. Not to mention, there are women who would love to have the funds to get a haircut, a fresh look.
Lastly, No Starbucks (indeed, this will be a challenge. For me, those $5.00 mocha's are a such a break in the day)-There are people without clean drinking water, people, villages, children who drink the same water they void in...and I complain if my Starbucks is not warm enough.
So, as we step into our new year the Mooney family has accepted our challenges, and is excited to walk ahead. As a family we are excited to "give back," more this year, or "give" more this year. It seems the good ole' 'American Way,' would have us working hard for a new car, larger house, more "stuff." However, we as a family are trying to turn our heads as much as we can (gosh knows we have much work to do in this department), and as hard as it is sometimes,and figure out how we can help. Yet, when we do give into those "wants" how we can help others while getting them. There are so many companies out there that give back...you buy shoes, they give shoes...etc. We are also trying very hard to teach our 5 year old about giving. Perhaps THIS shall become our greatest challenge :-) Our sweet little blonde boy has such a charitable nature, but when it comes to parting with his toys it is just a no-go. I am thrilled to see how far we can get.
Along the lines of giving back, and helping others...Rob, and I heard a sermon a week ago about the tornado's around us. I am not referring to those that produce wind gusts of 100 mph, or rip the roofs off of our homes...I am talking about the torrential storms that everyone around us battles at one point or another. Soul battles, financial battles, divorce, loss, loneliness....and the list could go on and on. The pastor went on to explain that January seems to be the key month for increased suicide rates, depression, and loss. How sad is that, just days after we celebrate the biggest day of the year, we are faced with such a downcast. The pastor wanted us to leave equipped to help, having a knowledge base that right now the tornado's are at their worst, and we may never know that our neighbor, friend, family member, grocery clerk....______ (insert name here) is struggling. So really, its about doing the right thing, taking a few more seconds to smile at someone, pick up something they dropped (even if YOUR hands are full already), and EVEN if you know that, that person you are stopping to help would never help you.
Enjoy. My last point is to enjoy. Know when you've given enough, and in most cases too much of yourself...sit back, and enjoy. I realize I just wrote about giving, giving, even when it is not comfortable, and now I am saying sit back and enjoy. We cannot neglect our families, husbands, children, and ourselves. We can only give to others what we have. If we are not healthy, well, and able we cannot give. So, in the midst of giving, in the midst of life and all of its craziness, I think I will enjoy this year. I will let the laundry pile up a bit more (anyone who knows me knows my laundry is ALWAYS done). I might have to say "no" a few times this year more than the last, because this year after I am done giving all I can, I fully intend to love my little family in a big way, and enjoy their moments, our moments.
Because it is our moments that matter.
My Challenges:
Enter into, and run a 10k-how good to feels to run!
Read my Bible daily-I have a thirst for more and more when it comes to what the Bible offers me.
Not cut my hair for the entire year-To donate. There are women, and children battling cancer...losing their hair, and I complain if mine is not perfect. We as women spend thousands of dollars cutting, coloring, straightening, etc. there are women who wold love to just have hair. Not to mention, there are women who would love to have the funds to get a haircut, a fresh look.
Lastly, No Starbucks (indeed, this will be a challenge. For me, those $5.00 mocha's are a such a break in the day)-There are people without clean drinking water, people, villages, children who drink the same water they void in...and I complain if my Starbucks is not warm enough.
So, as we step into our new year the Mooney family has accepted our challenges, and is excited to walk ahead. As a family we are excited to "give back," more this year, or "give" more this year. It seems the good ole' 'American Way,' would have us working hard for a new car, larger house, more "stuff." However, we as a family are trying to turn our heads as much as we can (gosh knows we have much work to do in this department), and as hard as it is sometimes,and figure out how we can help. Yet, when we do give into those "wants" how we can help others while getting them. There are so many companies out there that give back...you buy shoes, they give shoes...etc. We are also trying very hard to teach our 5 year old about giving. Perhaps THIS shall become our greatest challenge :-) Our sweet little blonde boy has such a charitable nature, but when it comes to parting with his toys it is just a no-go. I am thrilled to see how far we can get.
Along the lines of giving back, and helping others...Rob, and I heard a sermon a week ago about the tornado's around us. I am not referring to those that produce wind gusts of 100 mph, or rip the roofs off of our homes...I am talking about the torrential storms that everyone around us battles at one point or another. Soul battles, financial battles, divorce, loss, loneliness....and the list could go on and on. The pastor went on to explain that January seems to be the key month for increased suicide rates, depression, and loss. How sad is that, just days after we celebrate the biggest day of the year, we are faced with such a downcast. The pastor wanted us to leave equipped to help, having a knowledge base that right now the tornado's are at their worst, and we may never know that our neighbor, friend, family member, grocery clerk....______ (insert name here) is struggling. So really, its about doing the right thing, taking a few more seconds to smile at someone, pick up something they dropped (even if YOUR hands are full already), and EVEN if you know that, that person you are stopping to help would never help you.
Enjoy. My last point is to enjoy. Know when you've given enough, and in most cases too much of yourself...sit back, and enjoy. I realize I just wrote about giving, giving, even when it is not comfortable, and now I am saying sit back and enjoy. We cannot neglect our families, husbands, children, and ourselves. We can only give to others what we have. If we are not healthy, well, and able we cannot give. So, in the midst of giving, in the midst of life and all of its craziness, I think I will enjoy this year. I will let the laundry pile up a bit more (anyone who knows me knows my laundry is ALWAYS done). I might have to say "no" a few times this year more than the last, because this year after I am done giving all I can, I fully intend to love my little family in a big way, and enjoy their moments, our moments.
Because it is our moments that matter.