Resolutions Smezolutions..who really follows these and what are they for?!

Wintery weather all bundled up in fleece blankets drinking hot coco by the fire or heater is the perfect time for people to start planning new years resolutions and getting active again for summer activities. The closer the calendar gets to the month of January the longer the lists become for people to make their resolutions. Mid-January around this time is when you start seeing and hearing people state they already broke their resolutions so what was the purpose of the time and energy spent making those goals. I use to make mine every year growing up work out more, have a faster track record, make more home runs and steal the team home, decide on a perfect career and college, marry my first love, survive Barksedale, write the longest papers I can in Cox, outwit Abernathy at his own trivia bonus questions, and live happily ever after---psh those resolutions that only a few you really follow. As I got older it turned into making the deans list, graduating top of the class, being the perfect mother for my son, owning lots of land to foster animals on, become a writer and have published work other than catalog modeling for clothing companies, and growing old with my grandmother still as my best friend. To think those were actually just 3 to 4 years ago resolutions that some I still am working on; however, it really opened my eyes to resolutions just being a list of dreams and really answering the question where do I see myself in 5 years.
 I have never been one to say oh my resolution is to give up soda, or sweets, or any food for that matter I am a southern belle that loves food especially when it is made at the cafe my stepmother owns---mmh mmh mouth watering! Nor have I been one to say I want a swimwear body. I do like to workout; however, that is not a goal or resolution it comes in swings of moods and then I get lazy and then workout -- crossfit is my favorite. Other common resolutions I see people make are to stop smoking and drinking which neither of those I do; so I guess again that is why my resolutions always turned out so in depth.
I believe that resolutions should be redone as a tradition instead of petty things given up for the next year or breaking a habit; you need to answer the question what do I want to be doing 5 years from now and what have I accomplished since that goal since last New Years, what has changed in my life that would cause me to take a different path and what changes need to be made to get to where I want to be. If everybody did that every New Year and really worked on it then I think resolutions, as you could put it, would be better followed or act as an eye opener to circumstances that show God is in control and will help you where you need help in mapping out your life. It is never too late to start..5 years ago I was 20 years old pregnant and going through a divorce working for a law firm. If you asked me then what I would be doing 5 years from then I would have answered living on land in Union Hill, working as a paralegal going to law school, raising my wonderful son, breeding rottweilers with my uncle, and making most of life. If you ask me now where I plan to be in 5 years the answer will be working as a supervisor for the bank, still volunteering with LAUNCH, SASS, and Family Services of North Alabama, raising two wonderful boys hitting close to teenage years, hopefully pregnant or planning the next bundle of joy, married to the most awesome man God has introduced me to, having a good relationship with his ex wife and co-parenting the best way we can, living in a home I own not rent and be working towards my bachelors again. Lastly, being fluent in Spanish to better communicate with family, friends, coworkers, and customers.
I really hope this makes you rethink your yearly resolutions and turns them into a yearly 5 yr goal marker. Now go buy a notebook and start its never too late! Every year ask yourself where do I want to be in 5 years and compare it to the year before and journal what you accomplished, what you want to keep and what you want to change as well as why you want to change it. Start looking at life in a new pattern and mapping out your roads; draw your own red lines and x marks the spots it is you and God in control of you get ready for the best autobiography written ever! Your own story is always the best!!