Time to Clean House

Around this time of the year, everyone wants to come up with their New Year’s Resolutions.

Not judging though, because I used to do the same thing.

But the last year or two, I didn’t and saw a major difference. Maybe because I looked up the definition of a resolution:

Resolution: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc.

So maybe, we’ve been using the wrong word. Because this implies seeking an answer, but what about acting on that answer? Think about it; if the resolution is the lose weight, then you would look for different weight loss methods. But would you actually try them out? Would you actually commit to the workouts, or just simply keep looking at videos and articles, saying ‘That’s what I want.’

Or maybe we have been using the right word, because if you find the answer, you most likely will use it. Like an open-book test. I guess it depends on the person.

As for me personally, most resolutions I set end up vague wonders and dreams to be wished upon, but never make it past Dr. King weekend. But what I do notice is that I deal better with goals. Measurable standards and benchmarks to see how far I have come from my beginning. So with each year, I set goals that I want to reach for the coming year.

In 2013, my goals were:

* Go somewhere new, that I’ve never been before

* Intern at one Orlando news organization

* Graduate from college and find a full-time position

And I met all three goals: I traveled to Chicago (and loved it), interned with two Central Florida publications, and graduated college with a full-time position waiting for me to start in my field.

In 2014, my goals were:

* Win at least one office/journalistic award

* Establish myself independently (get my own place of residence and a new car)

* Become active at my church, Orlando World Outreach Center, again

* Get my health somewhat back on track, including running 3 5K races

And I did well with my goals: I have been recognized twice with awards for my writing and my work, I got my own apartment, car and pay all my own bills, I am on the front line for the praise team at my church and attend Lifegroup (Bible Study), and I got into really good shape around my birthday and ran 2 5K races.

So what is the plan for 2015?

* Drop 25-30 more pounds and tone my body better than ever

* Run between 3-5 5K races

* Be promoted to senior writer in the newsroom

* Pay off my credit card debit completely

But in order to embrace the new, I have to get rid of the old. In other words, I have to clean out old thoughts, mindsets, patterns, habits and incorporate new ones.

When you start cleaning, your purpose is to make everything fresh and new and clean. You don’t want to see the stains and reminders of what once was; you want to prepare for what is to come. You clean your house to get rid of what no longer fits and has a place in your life, in order to make room for what is coming for you.

In my case, there are several things I must get rid of; bad spending habits (God knows I will drop money on food in a minute, knowing I have groceries at home or at the office), becoming more of a man of my word (standing by what I say that I will do), cutting out the lies and excuses (everyone is busy, but you make time for what is important to you), and a few other things I’ve kept swept under the rug for sometime.

If I want to REALLY be open to the possibilities God has for me…I mean, in 2014, He truly showed me what He can do in my life if I let Him in. And I want more of His promises, His gifts, His love in my life. But I have to clean out what I have been trying to hide away from Him.

Do you want better? Maybe we should both get out of the filth that we have been hiding in and actually get some cleaning done…because we can’t be clean with dirt everywhere.

So, put on that Isaac song “Clean This House” and let’s get to cleaning!

Make it a “Merry” Christmas for Someone

Even though my official title at my newspaper is the “Charitable Giving” reporter, I prefer to refer myself as the “Community Service” reporter. Why? Because when I hear the words ‘charitable giving’, I tend to think of only giving money and donations. But by saying ‘community service’, I envision what I REALLY cover in my community; people getting out of their comfortable lives, if only for a moment, and really getting their hands dirty and going out into the communities that need their help.

Today is Christmas Eve. and everyone knows that people are especially nice during this time of year and want to do their part to give back to the community. I understand; I’ve got the same heart.

But it’s one thing to only do something on one end, and another to see people on the receiving end.

And I never really thought about the people I’m helping during my own volunteer experiences until I got this position. I have been with The Villages Daily Sun newspaper in Florida for a year now, and I have been the Community Service reporter for about 7-8 months, but have seen my mindset and heart change drastically during that time.

Before taking this position, my community service efforts were rather active, but I never really got a chance to see how people really reacted to the efforts of love. But now, my editor challenges me to go to the receiving end of the story as well to make it a whole package. And as I do, I find myself talking to amazing people with amazing stories. I mean in this year alone, I have:

• Talked to an 11-year-old who admits that he has had to share cans of beans with his other siblings, or some nights, just go to bed hungry.

• Talked to senior citizens who are home-bound and have not been able to view Christmas lights for 15 years until an organization takes them out on a special bus tour.
• Talked to a woman who has driven from The Villages to Leesburg to volunteer at a store for 15 years (and just turned 92) every Thursday afternoon.

• Talked to children who got Christmas gifts that they never dreamed or imagined possible to get

• Talked to caregivers who have kept their stories and secrets locked away inside their hearts for years from the world

The more people I talk to, the more I realize that what most of these people want most out of life is to simply believe that they are loved. Sure they get material things in the process, but at the end of the day, they just want to be reminded that someone was thinking about them and actually cares for them.

So, I say all of that to say what? If you REALLY want to make the holidays bright, even for just a stranger, then do something nice for them. Even if it is nothing more than just a smile, a hug, a kind word. You really don’t know how much that can brighten up someone’s holiday.

So, from me to you, I say Merry Christmas, I love you and appreciate you following me on the journey this far. We have more ground to cover. But it’s been great so far. I hope the joy and hope of the holidays finds you safe, warm and surrounded by love.

The “Magic” of Christmas…without the Magic

• Wrapping paper spread across the living room.

• Annoying Christmas music on every radio station

• Santa Clause and fir needle trees in every store aisle

Yup, it’s the most wonderful time of the year again! It’s Christmas season. Right after the eating and digesting of the turkey, people burn off the extra weight by running from store to store, searching for the perfect gift for someone special on their list.

This happens to be one of my favorite seasons. I’m so excited, to be quite honest. This is the time of year where I can really let my inner child be free. There is something almost…magical…about this time of the year. It’s hard to put into words, but it’s exciting. I feel it deep inside my heart. The family gathering together, the Christmas lights twinkling in the night, the music floating through the air.

But, I do know that this season can have tough emotional pains for some people. Reminders of the hurt and pain that they might have been hiding all year long. People who gaze upon this season with bitterness and, dare I say it?, hate in their hearts. The magic of the season is gone.

Of course, there really was never any magic to begin with…

Over the years, the true meaning for the holiday has been lost behind the wrapping paper, suffocated by reruns of holiday specials and hidden beneath the pointy needle leaves of the fir trees soon to be strung with lights and ornaments. Now, don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong about all these things. But is that why we put so much effort in this holiday?

Over 2000 years ago, there was no Christmas lights or tree. There was no “Red Light Special” on gifts. There was no reruns of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “Frosty the Snowman”. All that was there at the time was a small manger, and a pair of parents gazing with joy and pride at their child; the one given to them by Divine Appointment.

For me, Christmas, at the end of it all, is about the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. And with His birth, comes the “magic” that people seek; a fresh hope for better. With the coming of the King of Kings came hope that one day, the hurt and pain experienced in this world would pass away, and a better day would come. That one day, tears would be wiped away and smiles would decorate faces and illuminate brighter than any Christmas tree.

If you are still looking for the “magic”, look to Jesus Christ and find the hope that will take you away from all hurt and pain.

That is the “magic” of the holidays.

Happy Holidays!