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NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS
A new year is a new beginning. As the new year begins, we feel that we need to make changes in our life, start on a new path, and eliminate bad habits.
Often, we start making new plans and new resolutions. We might feel excited, inspired and hopeful, but sometimes apprehensive, too.
The question is whether we will continue working toward our plans or give up. Will we revert to old behaviors and continue doing the same kind of things, without making those positive changes?
Change, Improvement and Success Require Persistence
If you want to make real changes in your life you need to take certain steps. It is great to dream big, but to make your dreams come true you need to do something about them, not just daydream.
Steps for Creating Changes in Your Life
The beginning of a new year inspires us to start new beginnings and make changes in our life, but this inspiration should continue throughout the year, and not be forgotten after a few weeks.
There are certain skills and habits that you need to have, and steps to take in order to fulfill your resolutions and make the changes you want in your life.
You need to make practical, achievable goals that you can realistically meet.
It is a waste of time and energy to set goals and plans and then quit them.
Here are some things you can do to help you accomplish resolutions.
Set a Well-Defined Goal
Without a well-defined goal, you might lose interest and revert to old behaviors.
Persevere
When we begin something new, we are often highly motivated but when we encounter obstacles or feel like we are not seeing progress quickly enough, we may become discouraged. How do we maintain that enthusiasm for long-term changes? Focus on the benefits of achieving your goals and how it will enrich your life. Utilize self-discipline and willpower to help you persevere.
Action
Start now, don't put it off until tomorrow or next week. Don't procrastinate. Make the changes in your life now to accomplish your goals.
Leave Your Comfort Zone
We sometimes need to do things differently in order to get a different result. Try something new, even if it's scary. Change it up a little bit.
Ignore Doubts
We can do whatever we want to do in life, within reason. Don't spend a lot of time doubting yourself. Believing you can accomplish something is half the battle. Set your mind to the task, decide what you need to do, then do it.
A new year means new resolutions and new beginnings. Following through with your resolutions depends solely on you. Utilize your willpower, self-discipline, and desire for change to fuel your drive to meet your goals. The satisfaction you feel after you meet your goals at the end of the year will be well worth your efforts to make a positive change in your life.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL ON YOUR WORK ANNIVERSARIES!
JANUARY 1st JANUARY 2nd JANUARY 4th
Chanelle Smith Marilyn Parker Andrea Derouen
Scott Reed
JANUARY 5th JANUARY 6th JANUARY 7th
Brent Ackerson Stuart Benson Keisha Dorsey
Jessica Green Rick Blackwell Cindi Fowler
Bill Hollander Debbie Carroll Mark Fox
Barbara Shanklin Kip Eatherly Nicole George
Jeff Noble Robin Engel Anthony Piagentini
Charles Weathers Madonna Flood Donna Purvis
Steve Haag Paula McCraney
James Peden Rachel Roarx
Kevin Kramer Kevin Triplett
Markus Winkler
YUMMY!
OATMEAL RAISIN WALNUT COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
These chewy gooey oatmeal cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, raisins, walnuts, and coconut. They are deliciously decadent and rich.
INGREDIENTS
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1 cup butter
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1 cup white sugar
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1 cup packed brown sugar
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2 eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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2 cups old fashioned oats
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1 cup chocolate chips
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1/2 cup coconut
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3/4 cup raisins
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½ cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheet.
Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Combine the flour, salt and baking soda, oats, then stir in the chocolate chips, coconut and raisins (and nuts if desired).
Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls (I use a medium cookie scoop) onto the prepared cookie sheets. Allow space, as these cookies do spread out.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Cookies will be golden and crisp on edges, slightly gooey in the center. Do not over bake. Allow to cool five minutes and enjoy with a glass of ice cold milk.
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January 1st New Year’s Day
January 5th LMC Organizational Meeting
January 18th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day
January 20th Presidential Inauguration Day
This edition of 'Babies On Board'
features Councilwoman Jessica Green's new bundle of joy, Lennox David Robinson. He is 3 months old. He enjoys eating, trying to roll over, and loves to babble.
Lennox is loving his first holiday season, and gets so excited about the Christmas lights. After his Mama’s water broke during a Council meeting, he feels like he is already a part of our Metro Council family.
"We are looking forward to the world opening up so that Lennox will have an opportunity to meet each of you in person. Happy Holidays to all,"Jessica says.
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Lennox is modeling his Santa suit and wearing it better than old St. Nick himself. He's just too cute for words.
“A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.” – Eda J. Le Shan
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Pictured at left, a newborn Lennox in September 2020. He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 inches long at birth. Jessica labored for 49 looooong hours to bring Lennox into the world.
Congratulations to the Green/Robinson family on the birth of their beautiful baby boy. We wish you joy, wonder and some sleep!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
John Torsky January 11th
Steve Haag January 26th
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
WOULD YOU RATHER...
'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.
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Would you rather your only mode of transportation be a donkey or a giraffe?
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Would you rather only be able to use a fork (no spoon) or only be able to use a spoon (no fork)?
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Would you rather every shirt you ever wear be kind of itchy or only be able to use 1 ply toilet paper?
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Would you rather have edible spaghetti hair that regrows every night or sweat (not sweet) maple syrup?
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Would you rather have to read aloud every word you read or sing everything you say out loud?
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Would you rather wear a wedding dress/tuxedo every single day or wear a bathing suit every single day?
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Would you rather be unable to move your body every time it rains or not be able to stop moving while the sun is out?
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Would you rather have all dogs try to attack you when they see you or all birds try to attack you when they see you?
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Would you rather be compelled to high five everyone you meet or be compelled to ignore anyone in a green shirt?
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Would you rather have skin that changes color based on your emotions or tattoos appear all over your body depicting what you did yesterday?
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F U N F A C T S
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Butterflies have 12,000 eyes.
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Watermelon improves metabolism, is a rich source of anti-oxidants, helps with weight loss, is good for the heart & eyes and helps reduce stress and hypertension.
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It takes 10 calories of fossil fuel energy to produce a single calorie of modern supermarket food.
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A survey says that those who wear black are seen as serious and reliable – almost 50% of women and 64% of men agree that black exudes confidence.
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Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents.
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Over 90% of schizophrenics are allergic to milk, corn or wheat compared to 2% in people without schizophrenia.
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Every 3 out of 4 people have glossophobia – the fear of public speaking.
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Almost half the bones in the body are in the hands and feet.
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Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails.
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Stone yoyos appeared in Greece around 1000 BC.
The pupil of your eye expands as much as 45% when you look at someone you love.
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PRAYER FOR EQUALITY, PEACE & UNITY
I pray for peace in the streets of every city in our country. Peace for all the countries marching in solidarity for the equality of all people. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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