How are you doing with the New Year’s Resolutions or goals that you set going into 2014?

If you have fallen off of the wagon, brush yourself off, and get right back on!  This is going to be a GREAT year!

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you strive for a healthier you all year through!

First and foremost, trust in the Lord!   He knows what the future holds.  He holds YOU in the palm of His hand.  Nothing that you will encounter this year will come as a surprise to Him!   Trust Him.  He has plans for us – plans to prosper us, plans to give us hope and a future.  If in doubt, refer back to Jeremiah 29:11.   That is one of my most favorite bible verses, and one this website is based on as well!

If you set out with great ambition on being healthier in the new year, you still can!  Eat more fruits and vegetables and less junk food.  Be mindful of what you are putting in your mouth.  Do not eat in front of the computer or television.  Take time to savor every bite.  Then make sure you are drinking plenty of water.   If you’ve ever wondered if you’re drinking enough water during the course of the day or just how much you need to drink, this simplifies it for you!   No excuses now!  Drink more water and less sweetened soft drinks, sweet tea, or juices.   Water is so good for you!  Add some fresh lemon juice for an added benefit!

Did you have a goal of saving money this year?   Here we are in the very first official week of the new year.  You can start NOW with your savings plan.  Here is a chart that will tell you how much you need to put back every week so that you have a nice nest egg at the end of the year!   Try it, and see if you can stick with it.  You will be blessed at the end of the year, and you can take this money to go on a vacation!

With saving money in mind, we would like to direct you to coupons!!   Here you will find a whole list of coupons that you can click on to print.  If you don’t see any posted that you would like to use, please click on one of the coupons to take you to the main page where you can search for coupons for products that you do use.   Everyone loves saving money, and now you can with these printable Coupons!   Click here for money saving coupons!

Have you started a Gratitude Jar?   Write down all of the GOOD and POSITIVE things that you encounter throughout this year.   If someone does a random act of kindness, gives you a surprise gift, even every day blessings that we often times take for granted, memories that you want to save, etc.  As far as the goals that you set out to achieve that you accomplished – celebrate!!

How about this challenge?  If you are tempted to complain about something, instead shift your focus to something positive that happened, even if it is the smallest of things!   Write down the good in an effort to appreciate more and complain less.

Last but not least, be selective as to who you let into your inner circle.   Make sure that those that are close to you are there to lift you up, not tear you down.   Some people will pretend to be your friend just to hear what is going on in your life.  Once they have the inside scoop, they use what you’ve confided in them to their advantage.  They could take that information and use it to hurt you also.   Other times, if someone knows something that is a potential weakness, they might think they have the upper hand and when you least expect it, they will use it against you.  Therefore, I cannot stress enough to be selective here.

Make sure you have people in your corner that value you!   This isn’t a popularity contest, and you don’t need to see who can have the most friends.  That isn’t what this is about at all.  It is about the quality of your friendships, not the quantity.  You only need a select few that truly knows, values, and loves you to be happy in this life.   Those that do not appreciate you, those that do not value you … they have no place in 2014.

Take care of yourself as you go forward in this year.

Blessings to you and yours!

~Shirley

Light, Love, Hope