2014 Manifesto

Ann Voskamp created her own manifesto and I was inspired. I used picmonkey, drew from Ann's manifesto and created my own. I wanted to post it here as a way to keep myself accountable. I have it printed it out and on my fridge, but when you send something out into cyber space...well...that's a whole 'nother ball game.

My 2014 Manifesto break down:

First things first: Word in. Work out: Word in- to feed my soul with the word of God- something that in years past I have gone through phases. This year I want it to become a habit, non negotiable, just as eating my three physical meals a day are non negotiable.

Work out: physically- get my body moving. Starting off small- but get moving every. day. Five minutes? Ten minutes? Anything is better than nothing. 

Spiritually: Phillipians 2:12 tells us to work out our faith with fear and trembling.  What actions do I need to put behind my words to make my faith stronger? 

 

Memorize- hide God’s word in my heart, even if it’s just one little verse a month. Again, anything is better than nothing.

Celebrate the season- "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” Ecc 3:1. I want to celebrate and be content in the season of life that I am in, whatever that may be. Right now it's being a student and new wife. My husband is looking for a new job and when the fears start to overwhelm I whisper to myself "this is just a season". Godliness with contentness is great gain. Celebrate the season.

Unplug to recharge- turn off the tv, the computer, the phone and read a book, try a new recipe, go for a walk. I need to set intentional times where the screen is off.

Speak words that strengthen hearts- limit words of anger, frustration, nagging. Speak words that breathe life. That encourage, that strengthen.

Count the ways He loves- continue that list of 1,000 gifts, the ways He blesses daily

Savor His creation- look outside the window, examine a leaf, take a walk, snap a picture of the sunset, explore the grooves in a sea shell. I don't want to ever forget that I serve the master Creator!

Stand firm on His promises- I am a Child of God, The Lord will Provide, He will never leave me nor forsake me, I am forgiven

Clean space, clear head- keep the desk, the room, the kitchen tidy so that the physical clutter doesn’t also cause emotional clutter.

Connect: This year I want to really focus on my relationships. I want to call the person I've been thinking of, write a letter, have a conversation without where I am genuinely just listening.  You never know when someone you love will be removed from your life and in the end, what really matters is the people in your life.

Quiet- there doesn’t always need to be background noise. Turn off the tv. Quiet yourself before God. Quiet your own mouth and truly listen to what a person is trying to tell you. 

Grant grace- to the husband who didn’t wash his dishes before he left for work, to the driver who cut you off, to the cashier who interacts with you briskly. Grant grace because grace grants life.

Life is not an emergency- go slow. Ask yourself, “in five years, is this REALLY going to matter?” This year I aim to plan ahead so that I don’t miss out on the small things because I'm too busy rushing around.

Pick you hard: One of the quotes that has stuck with me is "Being overweight is hard. Losing weight is hard. Maintaining weight is hard. Which hard are you going to choose?" I want to get to my goal weight this year and then stay there.

Love well- I'm a new wife and I want to love well, not half halfheartedly. Go the extra mile. Love is patient and kind…1 Cor 13

Intentional stops to pray: something new I am trying this year. I'm going to set some alarms on my phone that work around my school and work schedule. When those alarms go off, no matter what I'm doing, it will be a single for me not stop and pray. 

Explore-Go for a walk! Open a new book! Take up a new craft! Explore and create, because God designed us to ENJOY these things!

Every day, not just every now and then- My goal is to do these things DAILY. By doing them daily I will make new routines and new habits. I'm going to make these things my new normal.

Here's to 2014!!