Beech Tree News Network

With the New Year, many feel hopeful about a fresh start. Whether we’ve made New Year’s resolutions or not, many of us hope to use that fresh start to do better in some way.

 I asked friends and family what they would like to do or accomplish in 2018. Their responses were:

• ·       2017 was an entire year of new doctors, tests and medicines for us. I’m hoping that, in 2018, we are able to shift our focus from illness to wellness again. Also, we will celebrate 25 years of marriage this year. That is an accomplishment we are very proud of!

• ·       Think before I speak, practice basketball more, score a distinguished on K-prep, and read the Bible all the way through.

• ·      Lots I hope to do this year, but here are a few: stay closer to my budget and my workout schedule, grow closer to God, and spend more time at home.

• ·       To drop 10 pounds and have my youngest sleep through the night.

• ·       I would like to sell my house, get moved, and finish my bachelor’s degree. And manage to keep my job and other balls in the air!

• ·       Take care of me! I’m taking care of others, and this has been sitting on the back burner.

• ·       Finish my Rank 1, then start working on my health again. It’s a two-step process.

• ·       At work: (1) revise clinical lab projects, and (2) revise curricula projects. At home: (1) continue positive financial adjustments, (2) complete grounds and house projects for drainage and gardens, and (3) publish both poetry collection and novel on kindle.

• ·       Regain my health.

• ·       I plan on self-improvement because while I am self-improving, I won’t have time to criticize others or get involved in their drama. I have a plan. This comes from David Powell, weatherman from Cadiz FM, and the drama part is mine.

• ·       I guess I’m like a lot of people. I really want to get control of my weight so I can be healthy and happy. I’m also excited to see the completion of Richland Baptist’s new building. God is good, and I can’t wait to see the blessings He has in store.

• ·       I know this is cliché, but I’d like to lose weight.

• ·       Update the rest of my house and travel to Canada and Alaska.

• ·       Complete one project before beginning another. Stop buying quilt fabric. Read more, eat less.

• ·       Get my house renovations done and my entire house cleaned up and organize the storage areas.

• ·       Live in the moment. Forget the past, quit worrying about the future. Be thankful for all my blessings. And just enjoy each and every day.

• ·       I’d like to start my shop house.

• ·       In 2018, I want to continue on my journey toward better health and work on not stressing so much over the little things. I also want to be more intentional about helping others.

• ·       I’d like to get as many students as passionate about literature as I can while also getting straight A’s in my own classes.

• ·       Try to keep my room clean and stay healthy!

• ·       I want to focus on my health – the big picture. I want to organize my garage. I want to help my family. And I want to set aside time for regular Bible study.

Mary Pickford said, “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down” (https://www.success.com/article/13-uplifting-quotes-about-new-beginnings). Wise words. The beginning of the year is a natural time for fresh starts and positive changes, and if we fail, let’s not stay down – let’s keep trying. It’ll be worth the effort.