It seems in my psychology classes we are always talking about the importance of encouraging clients to define operational goals for their own lives to help them live more intentionally. Psychoeducation teaches that while there are a lot of things we can’t control in life, we are wise to focus on the things we can control.
What better way to hold one's self accountable for personal goals than to A.) write them down and B.) post them publicly on your internet blog site? I owe Jennifer Collier
for the inspiration of naming and claiming my own goals. Below I have come up with 28 goals to accomplish before I’m 28. Technically I just turned 26 two months ago, but these next nine months are completely shot (time and resources wise) on goal # 1, so I threw in an extra year to help me accomplish goals #2-28.
1. Complete Masters before age 27
2. Pray about/apply for doctoral programs
3. Make a house into a home
4. Finish writing book
5. Do scientific research on the concept of soul mates
6. Practice being completely content in life regardless of circumstances
7. Be more aware of how God is romancing me every single day
8. Memorize 22 bible verses (1 per month for the next 22 months)
9. Take Brooke on a Disney Cruise
10. Swim in the ocean
11. Take Brooke to the St. Louis Zoo
12. Learn how to cook with meat
13. Apply for college teaching positions
14. Get LPC certification
15. Get my own tool set/learn how to use said tools
16. Do a one month fashion challenge and document
17. Get Brooke completely potty trained
18. Maintain current weight
19. Go one month without diet coke
20. Increase emergency fund to six months of living expenses
21. Get mother/daughter pictures taken with Brooke and I both in pearls
22. Watch season 1 of Gilmore Girls
23. Revamp an old tattoo
24. Relearn how to play "Moonlight Sonata" on the piano
25. Read 12 "just for fun" books that are not required texts for school
26. Stay at a never before visited bed and breakfast(I do love these so)
27. Learn to balance truth and grace
28. Paint a display-worthy, abstract work of art with Brooke's help
And now it's time to turn the tables; what are your goals? :)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
When Christians break dishes...and other things Christians aren't supposed to do
I’m currently experiencing a small but growing gnawing sensation to discuss something that is often over examined by those from the non-religious community and at the same time overlooked by those within it. Judgmentalism. Just the mention stirs dissention and nausea for some, guilt and cynicism for others. Either way, it usually doesn’t come off positive.
We as Christians (excuse the generalization) seem to struggle with this more than our non-religious counterparts…or perhaps it just seems this way because judgementality flies in the face of what we are supposed to be displaying toward one another: grace.
It’s dreadfully easy to peer objectively into another’s life and shake our disapproving heads. Much easier, than say, looking at an individual and taking into context all of their genetic makeup, experiences, and then trusting they are simply doing the best they can with what wisdom they have gathered. What’s more is that even if we disapprove of their choices, it is not our place to make a choice for them. As adults we have this wonderful thing called free will- a beautiful ability to define our own truth.
As Christians it would be refreshingly healing if we could look at each other through glasses of grace instead of windows of criticism. I’ve said it before in many conversations with dear friends, but on this side of heaven we are all simply doing the best we can in a broken world. Let’s love each other through the pain instead of adding onto it, shall we? Easier said than done, I know, but easier done with practice nonetheless.
We as Christians (excuse the generalization) seem to struggle with this more than our non-religious counterparts…or perhaps it just seems this way because judgementality flies in the face of what we are supposed to be displaying toward one another: grace.
It’s dreadfully easy to peer objectively into another’s life and shake our disapproving heads. Much easier, than say, looking at an individual and taking into context all of their genetic makeup, experiences, and then trusting they are simply doing the best they can with what wisdom they have gathered. What’s more is that even if we disapprove of their choices, it is not our place to make a choice for them. As adults we have this wonderful thing called free will- a beautiful ability to define our own truth.
As Christians it would be refreshingly healing if we could look at each other through glasses of grace instead of windows of criticism. I’ve said it before in many conversations with dear friends, but on this side of heaven we are all simply doing the best we can in a broken world. Let’s love each other through the pain instead of adding onto it, shall we? Easier said than done, I know, but easier done with practice nonetheless.
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