Augustine wishes you a most blessed and happy New Year! A smiling baby makes life more optimistic and joyful doesn’t it? I hope this happy little bow-tie clad lad, makes you crack a grin too. 😉
I was fortunate enough to have another week off of work as our morning show ran “Best of 2011” segments all last week, and the extra time was much needed and appreciated! I was able to get some things caught up, snuggle with the family and gear up for 2012 by setting some new goals. Some of them include:
-Drink more water
-Have 1 day per week completely “unplugged” as a family. No TV, no computer, Wii, Xbox, cell phone, etc.
-Read more books as a family
-Build better self-discipline * (I’ll explain more about that later)
-Re-structure this blog!
There….they resolutions are officially set! I think that means I’m accountable now. 🙂 In terms of the “build better self-discipline” I realize that achieving my goals would be easier if I built up my willpower muscle first.
For example, when it comes to resisting chocolate I just can’t do it. I cave. Every time. I would love to give up chocolate for Lent but I know myself better than that, and realize I need to “get tough”mentally, before I can follow-through. I know it’s in there somewhere because I’ve completed 3 half marathons and experienced natural childbirth (but yet I can’t resist chocolate?!) Ha.
So, I have started by uniting my sacrifices to the Lord, and praying for the grace to build fortitude. Here’s how it works. It’s the practice of St. Therese’s sacrifice beads. You have it in your pocket move a bead for each sacrifice you make. It works for me because it’s an actual tangible way to show that I am making progress…even just baby steps, and as I attempt to “die to self.” For instance, if I’m tempted to make a critical remark to my husband, instead I just zip it and move a bead, and pray for the willpower to let it go. By the end of the day, even if I’ve just moved 2 beads, I can still look at it as SOMETHING in the way of progress. The next day, hopefully I can do more. Here’s how it looks:
Progress:
My mom was kind enough to give me this one, but they also make beautiful sets on Etsy. So, we’ll see how it goes!
Wishing you the BEST of a year full of promise hope and much joy. Happy New Year!
What wonderful resolutions. I love the bead idea. That is awesome. I will definitely have to look for a set of those when we get back home. Thanks for posting about that, I had not heard of it before.
I love the beads Brooke…I think that is a great way to recognize the daily sacrifices we make to God and feel good about it! Thank so much for posting and I plan on getting one:)God bless.
Brooke, sacrifice beads are great! I volunteer at the Carmelite Monastery in Cleveland Heights (http://www.clevelandcarmel.org/index.html) and they often have them available free. When they do, I pick them up to give away to folks who might need them. They are made by the Carmelite Secular Order (http://ocdsakroncleveland.catholicweb.com/).
They are also very easy to make yourself! http://thelittleways.com/How-to-make-sacrifice-beads.pdf
Thanks for always offering beautiful sacramentals for your listeners!
Brooke,
This is something that I need right now in my life, like you. I made one for myself last night and when my parents asked what I was doing and the meaning behind them, they both wanted one. My dad wears his as a bracelet. Thank you very very much!
I want to he entered. my name is Rachel. email- [email protected]