New Year, New Resolutions

The start of the 2015 is filled with a lot of excitement. This is the year I will graduate from PA school and this is the year I will get married to the man of my dreams. Along with anticipation for upcoming events, the New Year always forces me to compile a pesky list of resolutions.

Every year, my resolutions include "be a better Christian," "improve physical fitness," and "improve my financial skills" along with some specific resolutions for the upcoming year. Even though I feel like I did a decent job with my 2014 resolutions, there is always room for improvement. This is why I look at resolutions as a way to grow and not a way to fail. Keeping the three items listed above on my list year after year does not mean that I haven't made progress in the past year, it just means that I acknowledge that I have room to improve. Every day, you need to take the time to make that day the best day of the year.

My 2015 New Year Resolutions

1. Be A Better Christian: I am constantly struggling in this category, so it is a good thing that as Christians we don't have to earn Grace. I have decided to begin a few devotionals this year, make an effort to begin tithing, and commit to attending church on a more regular basis. Although clinical have made it difficult to become established with a church family, I am no longer allowing this to be an excuse. 
• What devotionals? 
• Couples of the Bible: The One Year Devotional Study to Draw You Closer to God and Each Other
• Andrew and I are completing this devotional together. We began it last year, but busy schedules got in the way. We are both excited to begin working on this journey again together. 
• A Bride's Devotional
• This FREE PDF DOWNLOAD was created by The Sweet Christian Bride. I am excited to begin working through this devotional and see what it has to offer.
• Her Hands Devotional
• I bought this devotion in College Station, TX at Copy Corner. I finished it once while I was in college, but I am excited to take it on again as an engaged woman and not a single college student. 
2. Improve Physical Fitness: Last year was the first year I took this bull by the horn since high school graduation in 2008. I am excited to continue to make physical fitness and health a priority in 2015. My goal is to improve my "tone" and decrease my 1 mile, 3 mile, and 6 mile time.
• My "Tone The Tummy" Pinterest Board is where I store all my favorite work outs to try and my "Conquered" Pinterest Board is where I store all my favorite work outs that I have completed successfully. 
          Visit Olivia's profile on Pinterest.
3. Improve My Financial Skills: This is not a strength of mine. Thank goodness I am marrying a man who can lead me financially through life. My goal this year is to learn how to keep a budget more effectively and read a few financial planning books for beginners. 
• Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey.
4. Lose The Clutter: I am a hoarder, especially with clothing. I am hoping that I can sift through some of my clothing from High School and give it to Good Will. I am going to scour the depths of Pinterest for some "declutter your life" ideas. Honestly though, looking at Pinterest and the 1000s of options is so overwhelming that I'm thinking I might need a book. PLEASE COMMENT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. 
5. Hermann Park & Samson: I am going to try to increase both the number of times Samson and I go to the park a week, but also the amount of time spent at the park with each visit. 

I hope you all are successful in achieving and growing in your New Year's resolutions. Additionally, I wish you all a happy, healthy, and successful 2015. It has been a joy to be a part of your lives the past year and I am looking forward to being a part of your days in 2015.