Doing it differently in 2016

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Every year, at the beginning of the year, many of us think about what we want to change in our lives . What we want to be different in our lives, in our health, in our family, etc. in the upcoming year. I was very ill in 2014 and it took me a long time to recover. I still have a few odd things that crop up now and then as a result of the meningitis, but not too many and I am grateful for that! Due to the illness and the limitations on my body, I developed some bad habits that carried into 2015. I am doing much better now and I want to let go of the bad habits and replace them with better things.

Here are 5 things I want to change in 2016...

I want to read more. I used to read a lot, but reading was impossible with the meningitis and I just got out of the habit. I want to get back to that. I read about clearing off a book shelf in your house at the beginning of the year. As you finish reading a book, you place it on the shelf. At the end of the year you can see how many books you’ve read. I have not cleared off a shelf, but I think that is an interesting idea. I want to keep track of what I read and will probably just keep a list. My friend, Lisa, reads more books than anyone I know. I did read two books this year that I really liked. One was by Kristen Strong. Kristen’s book helped me deal with many of the changes I went through with my health and with my job. The other book that I LOVED was this one by Deidra Riggs. Deidra’s book gave me the courage to move forward with some decisions that I was really afraid to make. She reminded me that even if you make a mistake, God is there to catch you.

I want to share more in this space. When I first started blogging I posted on a regular basis. Life and circumstances changed and I don’t write as often as I’d like to. While I do not consider myself a “writer” I would like to write more often in my journal and post more regularly here. I love this journal from DaySpring.

I want to be more regular with my Bible reading. When it comes to my daily Bible reading I am pretty good most of the time…or I’m not. I seem to go in a cycle…really good for days or even weeks, then something happens and I get out of the habit. I use the Bible app on my phone, but I also like to use my Bible. There is something special about turning the thin pages and reading an actual book. Last year I also started visiting the IF:Equip website and I LOVE it. There is a reading and a short video along with some questions. I want to combine my Bible reading with #30 on this list.

I want to let go of more of my stuff. Before we listed our house in June we got rid of a lot of stuff. But I still want to get rid of more. Our house didn’t sell and is currently off the market, but we will be putting it back on in the spring. I want less stuff when we re-list. I recently saw this list. OH. MY. STARS. #27 and #37 top my list.

I want to continue my healthy living regimen. I eat healthy most of the time and I have been working with a personal trainer for 3 1/2 years. I want to keep doing these things. It is amazing how much better I feel when I get regular exercise. In 2014 I began using essential oils. I learned more about them in 2015 and I want to share more about them with you in the future.

What do you want to change this year?