Better in 2009?

As 2009 approaches, I can’t help start thinking about how I want 2009 to be better than 2008 – or more specifically, how I can be a better person, better follower of Christ, better husband, better dad, better friend, better boss, better organized, better EVERYTHING.

I know a lot of people poo-pooh “New Year’s Resolutions.” I’m not sure if they are just realistic or have simply given up on improving themselves or allowed the fact that they are human discourage them. I’ve never kept any “resolutions” for twelve months, so I don’t think that’s the point. (has anyone?)

For me, December is often impacted more than January – as I desperately try to “get ready” to be better in the next year. Rethinking how I do life and ministry – and decluttering my life. I’ve been going through stuff and getting rid of a lot of stuff I don’t need. (Even the Star Wars ‘museum’ in my basement has been gutted!) I’ve been reorganizing my paper stuff as well as my electronic stuff – of which I have much more and is more chaotic and difficult to keep up with. This week I have spent hours reorganzing all my computers and drives to determine what data I’ll keep on which computer and/or drive, which drives will back up both the computers and the other drives. It’s a little hairy to manage it all, electronically, that is.

I have a ton of books – part of being the son AND son-in-law of pastors – you inherit a  LOT of books, and the hardest part is, they are all good books. But I need to thin them out. Tempted to read a book a day in 2009 and pitch or donate or give away a book a day! But it wouldn’t even dent the books I have on shelves and in boxes!

I’m also busy scanning the family archives of photos I inherited when my mom passed away in 1996. She was a great photographer, and I’ve been slowly and steadily scanning, sorting, and organizing that mammoth project.

Have I bored you to death yet? Anyway, I know I’m just rambling, but I’m thinking a lot about what needs to change in 2009 and what I need to do to get to where I can do better in 2009 in many different areas.

The key I am finding is decluttering and getting organzied. I’ve done A LOT of that in 2008 – but there is more to do. Both at home and at the Kidology headquarters. One secret motivator is always something I tell myself, “If you were to die, Karl, someone else would have to go through all this, you know!” Yikes! That alone makes me want to go through all the magic tricks, puppets, props, gadgets, papers, books, samples, action figures, toys, games, sentimental keep-sakes, etc. and narrow it down to what I really need, or more importantly, what I actually USE.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING to make 2009 better? What are your “resolutions?” (if you make those)

Here are some of my ideals I’d like to see myself get better at in 2009: (not in any particular order!)

• Start my days earlier.
• Be a better friend when it comes to communication.
• Be smarter about how I spend my time.
• Be more consistent in my devotional time.
• Carve out focused time for projects.
• Work from home more.
• Eat out less.
• Read more books.
• Drink less Dew.
• Write more.
• Twitter less.
• Blog more.
• Facebook less.
• Create more.
• Consume less.
• Save more.
• Spend less.
• Call more.
• E-mail less.
• Pray more.
• Assume less.
• Hug more.
• Grumble less.
• Choose more wisely.
• Ask more questions.
• Wait for God to confirm decisions.
• Forgive quicker.
• Release hurts that linger.
• Cherish the past
• Live in the Present
• Hope for the future
• Be God’s Man in God’s Place.
• Be a thoughtful and gentle husband.
• Be an engaged and fun Dad.

I love life and I love engaging it creatively and actively – but I also have learned many hard lessons in life about pace and balance and margin and health – and am looking forward to getting even better at managing it all in 2009. I am so blessed by a gracious and sweet wife, an adorable and loving son, an awesome ministry team to work with, and friends along on the journey.

Not sure about “New Year’s Resolutions” but I am eager to see 2009 be even better than 2008. And in the end, it’s not about how you live next year, but how you live today.”

As someone recently said to me, “Today is a Gift from God, that’s why it’s called the Present.” So enjoy it. AMEN to that!

What are your thoughts as 2009 approaches?