Monday, January 4, 2010

Day by Day


This time of year many people are making resolutions and harboring hopes of a better year, a more productive year, a happier year ahead. We go along for days, weeks, or sometimes even a month or two with those goals and hopes and then something happens that destroys our resolution. Maybe we fail at keeping the goals or a life event dims our hope and we abandon the resolutions thinking we’ve blown it again this year. This is one of the reasons New Year resolutions fail—because we are thinking in terms of years. We set the goal for a year and it is only February! So we wait until next year to begin the process again.

But new beginnings don’t have to be measured in years. At one point in Paul’s teachings, he tells the Corinthians, “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). In other words, our bodies might be growing older and becoming weaker, but our inward being, our spirits, are renewed daily through Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.

That is one reason I like having a word for the year instead of goal resolutions. My word is not something that is kept or broken like a goal; it just floats with me in whatever I am doing. If I am cleaning house, I’m thinking rejuvenate—do it better than ever before. If I am studying, I’m thinking rejuvenate my studies—have more enthusiasm and excitement in my study. If I am with an old friend, I’m thinking rejuvenate my friendship—don’t take friendship for granted but cherish it. Instead of feeling like something extra to do, my word resolution enhances and invigorates everything I am already doing. In this way I help the natural process of letting the Spirit renew me day by day by day without getting discouraged or being tempted to give up. I love it!

10 comments:

calarsen said...

I love your comments about Resolutions,Sherrie! You inspire me to do better. My word is "Charity" -- the one that goes with Faith and Hope. Like you suggest, I'll work on it day by day by day without getting discouraged or tempted.

Wendi said...

This is a great post. I'm already feeling more JOY in each day and not worrying about guilt from goals I may or may not be working on. :)

Sara said...

Ok I admit I had to play catch up on the past weeks posts. Crazy holidays but I loved spending more time with my son during the break. School is great but I miss seeing him all day. I love the word resolution and I think mine will be Gratitude. Last year I tried to become more humble in my daily life and listen for the Spirit more. Over the past month I have felt more gratitude and I truly wish to increase the peace and humility that comes from discovering just how much I have to be grateful for. On that note: Thank you again for all of your insights and posts that have made my daily devotionals so thrilling.

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Christy, Charity is a fantastic word for a word resolution. In all you do if you are thinking charity, imagine how much you will grow! I like that one.

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Wendi, I'm glad you are feeling the joy. Keep smiling!!!!

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Sara, Thanks for coming back! And I like your word. It is one of the words I was considering. Feeling gratitude in everything you do will be empowering. Let me know how it goes!

SuSu said...

Sherrie,
I recently came across your blog and so have enjoyed reading your posts. I love love love the word resolutions idea. I just love words and over the years as I have focused on one word or another have found over time how that word has helped me along life's path. One word I love is obedience. Years ago when we had teenagers that is what I asked for for Christmas, obedience! They gave it to me in the form of wooden blocks! (Did I mention they were teenagers) Thankfully they have been obedient. This year my word is "believe." I love this word and believe all things are possible with it!

Heather said...

I've been meaning to comment for a long time. So here goes.

Loved your thoughts one the word of the year. I did this last year and really liked it. I picked PRIORITIES. As a mother of 3 tots, I felt like I needed to get out of the fog of all the change we had (move and new baby, etc)... and organize my house and such. Well... Heavenly Father had different plans for me this year and sent me a new little baby to love... so instead of organizing my house, I spent time with my kids and ended up in survival mode once again. But it's all good.

This year my One little Word is LIGHT.

See the Light (be positive with self and family and life)

Discover the Light (personal Scripture Study and Spiritual uplift)

Share the Light (help set the mood in our home so the Holy Ghost can dwell here ... teach my children about the LIGHT of the Gospel of Christ)

Celebrate the light (enjoy simple moments and glimpses of eternity)

Enjoy the sunLIGHT (get outside to exercise and enjoy outside family adventures)

Be a LIGHT (serve happily especially at home)

So there's my scoop on the word of the year. I love this idea.... especially how you mentioned that the Spirit changes and guides us day by day. I need that!

Also wanted to say thanks for your inspiration on this blog. I'm always forwarding your posts (via google reader) to my sister and mom. I know they'll love the pure doctrine and principles you expound on. Love the Truth Tools.

I first found your blog through Brianna on Facebook when she mentioned you had a tumor. What a journey!

Sorry for this long comment... but I couldn't find an email for you but wanted to share my thoughts.

p.s. loved the thought you put on twitter... The sun doesn't have to be shining outside because it's shining in my heart. I'll share it with you.... That is exactly how I want to be as a mother. Love it!

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Heather, Thank you so much for your comments. I love your word for the year. And I appreciate getting to know you. That is the fun part of keeping a blog. Please don't apologize for leaving a long comment, I loved it! I hope you'll keep coming back and leaving more! We learn from each other!

Heather said...

hope you don't mind that I linked to you here.

http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/2011/12/2012-one-little-word-posters/

Thanks for fabulous message!