It’s the first day of the year. (Master of the obvious, I know.) And although I wasn’t even thinking about making resolutions I have become very introspective today. I keep thinking about all the things I want to do. All the blogs and ideas I’ve filed away and said, “One day I’ll do this…” have suddenly popped up again saying, “Time’s awastin’!”
For me, making a resolution and sticking to it is NOT going to work. I can’t just say, “This year I’m going to exercise.” That’s silliness. But even a smaller goal of, “I’ll exercise 30 minutes a day.” Isn’t going to work. I’ve learned that nothing is going to make me change until *I* make me change. Until I get the WANT TO.
So, instead of making any resolutions now, I’ve contemplated (and still have some more to do) about the areas of my life where I want to see improvement, growth and newness. And I’m figuring out how to get the WANT TO to get the job done. For me, I need information. So, I’m ordering books and subscribing to blogs. And reorganizing my feed-reader to reflect the important things I want to “learn” this year.
Let me break it down for you…
PHYSICALLY
I just bought two books from Amazon (affiliate links below):
In Defense of Food: An Eater’s ManifestoI first heard about this book from Jo-Lynne. She’s had a recent whole foods journey and I’m intrigued.
The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick – And What We Can Do About ItI read about this book from Isabel at Alpha Mom. And even before I read one word of the review I said, “I believe every word of this book.” I do. I know that even when we try to eat “healthy” we’re not eating real food.
I’m fairly confident these books are going to encourage me to focus (again and moreso) on healthy whole eating. And when I’m eating right, I start getting excited about exercise. (More on exercise later…)
ORGANIZATIONALLY
This is the eternal quest for me. I think I’m getting worse as I’m getting older. Or maybe it’s because I now have 3 people to take care of. I don’t know. I’m just feeling messier and messier. So, I’ve subscribed to the following blogs…
Organizing Your Way Yes, I’ve subscribed to this one since she began. I love how she gives several ideas instead of just one. It really is organizing the way that works best for YOU.
Simple Mom I will never ever live up to what Simple Mom preaches. Honestly, she’s not simple to me. But, I admire it and appreciate how purposeful she is about every area of her life. That’s what encourages me to get my home in order.
Small Notebook I’ve read this blog on and off and I’m routinely astounded by the simplicity and practicality of it. Here are three posts I read and loved TODAY: Holding on to Sentimental Things, The Spice Cabinet Clean Out and The Lost Rule of Organizing.
I don’t want too many more organizing/simple living blogs or I’ll get too overwhelmed but if you have ONE that is not stressful (ie. do not tell me to read FLYlady), I’d love to hear about it!
SPIRITUAL
I have to confess: Ladies Ministry gets on my nerves. Whenever I look through the “women’s interest” books at the Christian bookstore I get bleary-eyed. They are too pink, too flowery and too boring. But as I was looking for a book or blog that would encourage me in my spiritual life—well, everything I looked at was either church-ministry-related or women’s ministry.
So, I’m thinking about getting a Beth Moore book. Maybe the Esther book? I know, I should turn in my Christian-woman card for never reading something by Beth Moore. But that’s really why I’ve never read one…because everyone else has. I know. Get over myself.
Anywhoo, what do you think? What book or blog has changed your life with God?
MISCELLANEOUS
Blogging: Well, I’ve got a few things up my sleeves and am too intimidated to share them with you right now…
My House: We’ve lived here almost a year and it’s almost exactly the same as when we moved in. So, I’ve subscribed to TONS of design and home-making blogs. You know my recent obsession with A Soft Place to Land. But I’ve also fallen in love with Infarrantly Creative and Living with Lindsey. Which home-y, house-ish, craft-y, design-ish blogs do you love?
Schedule: All of these hinge on one tiny area of my life I do not want to give up: SLEEP. I’ve been haunted by the accomplishments of early-risers and although I’d love to get everything done before 10am, I just can’t imagine it! I’m a zombie until noon. So, when I stumbled across this ebook called Inspired to Action, I got…well, inspired. *nervous laugh*
So, to end (yes, I am ending this…) is that to create a New Year’s Resolution or any goal, I need some info and inspiration behind it.
And now, I’m asking for inspiration. Which blogs or other resources have encouraged you in Healthy Living? Simple Organized Living? Spiritually? Or something else that’s changed your life?
Rachel says
Thanks so much for your sweet words. They are so encouraging to hear! I was just thinking this morning that I need to start waking up even earlier to beat the other early risers in this family. I’ve never been a morning person, so I clicked over to the Inspired to Action eBook to check it out. Maybe that will give me the extra support I need. Thanks and Happy New Year!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Welcome 2010! =-.
Mrs. Muffins says
I think that the documentary Food Inc is very, very informative. The author of In Defense of Food (also of the Omnivore’s Dilemna) appears in the film.
Although the book pushes a vegan diet, I also really liked Skinny Bitch. Even if the reader doesn’t want to become vegetarian or vegan, the matter of fact tone helps point out the fact that we alone are in charge of our choices in food and we can’t really trust anyone, even the FDA and USDA.
Happy New Year!
.-= Mrs. Muffins´s last blog ..Breastfeeding =-.
Gina says
Been woefully absent from blog reading! However, had to throw my 2-cents out there for what book has changed my life with God (and I’m with you on the whole “women’s” section of Christian bookstores — often entirely too watered down). Anyway, the book is The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace. She’ll step on your toes She’ll get all up in your business. But – outside of the Bible, this was THE single most influential book in my spiritual life. (And Stuart Scott has written the “companion” book called The Exemplary Husband…just in case your DH wants to read something like that). I also love Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s books – Lies Women Believe is a good one. Nancy will get all up in your business, too – but not quite like Martha will. π After being exposed to Martha Peace and Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Beth Moore seems a bit watered down to me — I do love her lecture videos, though. She’s so passionate.
Organization – a book written by a friend of mine called “A Heart for Home” — which combines a Bible study on home management with organizing your home. Practical and gets to the heart of WHY we want our homes well-managed. π It’s not published at this point and my copy is in a 3-ring binder. I’m going to work on Kim this year to GET IT FULLY EDITED (I’m to help her with that) and get it to a publisher. Kim has five kids – so she’s not into making it FLYLadyish AT ALL. Let me talk to her to see if I can send you a copy of it – if you want. My kids and I *love* our Home Management System that came from going through Kim’s book. The schedule hangs on the fridge, everyone can read it and they know what our jobs are each day.
Kathy Hill says
Thanks for sharing all you research with us. I read this blog while eating a chocolate cupcake at 9am. Guess I need to look into the healthy eating portion. LOL! I’m still on vacation, so doesn’t count.
I read Inspired to Action the other day and LOVED it. I’m usually up by 6 to get the kid on the bus, but this inspired me to get up even earlier to have some time for me. Love it.
Can’t wait to see what the new year brings you!!
.-= Kathy Hill´s last blog ..MMMMmmm Cupcakes =-.
Liz says
I give you a thumbs-up for looking into the whole foods. Prepare to have your eyes opened. That was a big change for me this year…er…last year.
Don’t worry about your lack of Beth Moore reading. I have read one or two of her books, but I’ve got lots of other recommendations for you. A book I’m currently reading for a second time is “Trusting God, Even When Life Hurts” by Jerry Bridges. I highly recommend it. I also recommend anything by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She has some wonderful titles like “Surrender”, “Lies Women Believe”, and a new one that I’m currently reading “Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy”. I know this one is going to really help me with my perspective on the goodness of God.
Have a great new year!
.-= Liz´s last blog ..2010: A Year of Comfort or Trials? =-.
Mandi @ Organizing Your Way says
Happy New Year, Amanda!
Thanks for including Organizing Your Way in that short list!
Researching and improving our eating habits is on my list too, but sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by the amount of information that I don’t even know where to start. I’ve download samples of both those books to my Kindle because it’s one of those things I know I need to do for the sake of our entire family.
Thanks!
.-= Mandi @ Organizing Your Way´s last blog ..31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010: Create a Budget =-.
oh amanda says
Oh. Your Kindle.
{fighting jealousy}
.-= oh amanda´s last blog ..New Year: New You =-.
Cathy says
I just got a new Beth Moore study called “Breaking Free” I did it several years ago with a group from another church. However, Beth has just redone this study and so our church group is going to do it starting in March. I plan to do it myself first. But I have to say the Beth Moore study that as impacted me the most is “Believing God”. If you are interested, this study along with the videos is all available to do online. It’s awesome and really helped me understand my relationship with God more.
You mentioned a Kindle above. Do you have one and do you like it? I’ve been checking them out and hope to get one some day and am just wondering what you think of them.
And if I didn’t say it to you yet, Happy New Year!
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..SkyWatch Friday =-.
Will Blog for Shoes says
I cannot say enough about In Defense of Food! Life-changing!
Also, I’ve never read a Beth Moore book. Or done one of her studies at church. I did go to the Living Proof Live event back in October and got a lot out of it. I know if I had some accountability, I would really enjoy a study… but me & nonfiction–just doesn’t happen much. I’d love to start a study in my home… the 2 books I’m considering Crazy Love (Francis Chan) & Ruth (by Kelly Minter).
Good luck on finding your “want to”… as soon as you find it, blog it so the rest of us can be motivated, too! π
mandi @ it's come to this says
LOVE this post!! Clean/natural eating is on my list this year too!! I think just cooking more (freezer cooking) and my diet last year has opened my eyes to that’s really how I lost weight (cooking real food with real veggies & fruits) b/c most of the processed was cut out. Plus I’ve realized how quickly m&e get into habits. I was truly mortified when Evan didn’t like the whole wheat/real cheese with butternut squash mac-n-cheese that I spent hours on over the 3min microwaved Kraft!!! I should have known but just thought he’d still be open to the real stuff!! Wrong! That’s on my list to change this year!!
.-= mandi @ it’s come to this´s last blog ..The closing of a decade =-.
Christine says
It seems like so many people are concentrating on eating “real” food this year. Maybe because that’s one of the things I’ve been focusing on lately. (kind of like when you get a new car and you start seeing the same model everywhere!) I’m so glad, though. Maybe we’ll all learn from each other! I’ve been thinking about getting the book 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth but I may have to check out the two you mentioned as well.
As far as the Bible Study goes…I was in the EXACT same boat as you with Beth Moore. But, I reluctantly went through of the studies, Patriarchs (Genesis) and loved it. Partly b/c she was so motivational and made me want to dig deeper but partly b/c I was in the Word and learning so much. Since then I’ve done two more studies, including Esther, and highly recommend it.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..1/2 Marathon in 4 1/2 months? WHAT?!?! =-.
Jodi says
I was going to recommend Lies Women Believe, but I see Gina beat me to it. You *must*, and do the workbook, too, if you can. I can’t think of another study I have done in my life that has done more to shape my worldview into a more Biblical one. I would offer you my copy, but I’ve already passed it on to someone else. I’m pushy like that π
Another good one that has really had an impact on my life is Women Making a Difference in Your Marriage. I feel like out marriage has always been a pretty good marriage, but with God’s help, it is becoming a great marriage, and this book lit the fire that got those changes started for me.
Happy New Year, and thanks for your recent comments – I felt super special and loved to get two at once π
.-= Jodi´s last blog ..Resolvedβ¦ =-.
Beth@Not a Bow in Sight says
The Beth Moore Esther study is amazing! Also, “Prayer” by Philip Yancey really was an powerful read for me last year!
.-= Beth@Not a Bow in Sight´s last blog ..All Things Are New =-.
Stephanie says
I asked for this new book for Christmas called The Happiness Project. I consider myself a happy person, as does the author, but like you, she wanted to get stuff done in her life to make things better = more happiness. Organize, be a better friend, a better wife, etc. And the book goes through a whole year about how she tackled it, bit by bit. I’m only in the first chapter (January), but I’m loving it. She looks back at all the philosophers and ahead to the contemporary thoughts about how to apply things to one’s life to gain a better perspective and just be happier. I’ll let you know how the rest of the book goes!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
*whispering* I haven’t read a Beth Moore since she became, ya know, BETH MOORE. last time i read one of her books we had not yet heard about y2k.
.-= Heather @ Not a DIY Life´s last blog ..Why I Love Baby Signing Time =-.
Tracey says
I’m a bit late to the party, but just came over on Jo-Lynne’s post and was reading some of your blog. Just wanted to say that one of my favorite books ever is In Defense of Food. I’m currently re-reading it for the third time to help me get my year off to a healthy start! Hope you enjoy it!
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Reading in 2010 =-.