A belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year to everyone here! I can hardly believe that Christmas is now past. Where did the time go?! The few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas never seem to offer enough time to get everything done…and now it’s suddenly all over, the family has dispersed and the house seems empty without the chatter of children and bustle of food prep. There are still holiday treats on hand, calling my name–decorated cookies, for example–but I’m trying to resist. Even the ones with the red hots on them (my big weakness) for the New Year is almost upon us, and I’m thinking about goals–some of which preclude the enjoyment of those cookies!
Have you been thinking about goals for the coming year? I sure have. It’s time to take action on a number of them! Water exercise at the YMCA. Yoga there too, as my daughter insists that it would be a Very Good Thing. Losing twenty pounds by springtime. Catching up on the towering stacks of books I want to read. And writing. Definitely, the writing. I have line edits due December 30th, and another book due in February, so those deadlines are a definite priority. And this year, I plan to follow the example of my best writer friend Lyn and pursue my writing at a more steady, diligent pace and make better use of my time. Every. Single. Day.
Is there anything you would like to change this coming year? A new goal you want to pursue? Something new that you’d like to learn? I would love to hear about it!
Best wishes to everyone for a healthy, successful New Year!
Roxanne Rustand
USA Today bestselling author Roxanne Rustand is the author of over thirty-five traditionally published novels, and four indie novels. Prior to 2007 she wrote for the secular market, but since then has been happily focused on inspirational fiction and sweet romance. A Golden Heart winner in 1995, she has received two RT Bookclub Magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, and has been nominated for an RT Bookclub Magazine Career Achievement Award. She is currently writing for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, and is continuing with self publishing. She and her husband live in the country with three horses, two goofy rescue dogs, and a half-dozen barn cats.
Happy New Year Roxanne! I will be trying to improve my relationship with my 20 year old daughter–no small task!!
In 2016, I’d like to relax more. I always feel as though I need to be doing something.
Good luck with the line edits!
Happy New Year, Roxanne!
I’m not sure yet. I just started thinking about it yesterday. I don’t make resolutions, since I always break them, but I do give some thought to what the Lord may want me to focus on.
I’m looking for a year of renewed health, which is something I only have partial control over. I’m also craving a deeper spiritual walk.
I want to expand my reading selection. I tend to read only romantic fiction/chic lit, which is obviously awesome =) but I’d like to read a variety of non-fiction in 2016. I found a plan that gives category ideas but isn’t rigid, so we’ll see how it goes!
Every year I strive to do the same thing. Using the time God had given me wisely. Nurturing the relationships of the people God has placed in my lives, taking care of the body God has given me. I don’t always hit it but I keep reaching!
I love setting goals… and my reach often exceeds my grasp. But, here goes! I’m focusing on steady, productive morning writing sessions, on curbing my tongue with my fourteen-year-old daughter, and on making time to build stronger friendships.
Happy New Year! I want to write more, keep a prayer journal, lose weight and have better health in 2016. Most of all, I want to glorify God in all I say and do. I need to keep my focus on Him and not on myself. :-)
Happy New Year! I’m extremely goal-oriented, but I think this year I need to slow down and take care of myself. Burning the candles at both ends has become too much for me and for awhile, at least, I need to get my physical, spiritual and emotional health back up to speed. Not really so much a “lose weight and exercise” goal (although of course I should do both) but an overall focus on resting and rehabilitating. Like other commenters, I also want to be more productive on a daily basis in my writing.
I also just like to read Romances or Cozy Mysteries. In my community the local library and cooking school sponsors a book club for foodies – about 20 women read and discussion the monthly book selection and for $20 the recipes in the books are prepared and we get to taste them. I also signed up for daily selections from BookBub – you get to pick categories and they pick a sale or free book in each categories. Hope this helps.
Happy New Year, Roxanne! I just can’t believe how fast the year goes by, can you? But I love this week between Christmas and New Year…kind of a in-between time. A time I like to reflect on all God has done throughout the year & looking forward to what He’ll do for the next year. I don’t set goals or make resolutions & I know some people like to come up with a word for the year….but I don’t do that either. I just take things a day at a time, it’s easier on me….lol! My goal has always been to allow God to work His will and way in my life :-)
Apologies to everyone here—I came down with the misery of flu Sunday night and have been totally under the weather until now.
So nice of you to post, Linda H. Best wishes for every success with your daughter. I know how heartbreaking it can be to have those ties broken or tested, and you have my prayers.
Jill, that is so true–I so rarely sit down and just relax, and need to do that more, Here’s to some lovely, quiet times with coffee, a good book, or good friends!
What a good approach, Kimberly. …one I should dwell on more often. Thank you for a wonderful thought!
Hi Valerie. My kids (and husband) have been after me to focus on health this year…with every passing year I seem to accumulate more issues to worry about. And a deeper spiritual walk is something I crave, too. I wish for all of us here good health and a deeper relationship with our Lord in 2016!
What a fascinating idea, Katy C. Did you find that program or list online, or did you devise it yourself? Very cool!
Sounds like a perfect summary of what I hope to do this year, too. Wonderful goals!
With another book to finish mid-February, I need to be putting in productive days, too! And best wishes with your daughter. That age can be so very difficult, with all of the teen emotions burning bright and hot, and though my daughter is now in her mid-twenties and we have a great relationship, I remember all too clearly some of our own arguments and feel great regret that I didn’t always handle them well enough. I so wish I could do some of those moments over again! Best wishes and prayers for you and your daughter!
What a beautiful approach, Mimi. Best wishes to you in 2016!
Renate, that sounds like a wonderful book club! Yummy!!
Deb, sounds like we have similar goals. Best wishes to you in 2016!
Lovely thoughts, Trixi….lower stress yet so focused on what really matters!
I DO hope you are feeling better Roxanne! The flu is no fun, what a miserable few days you’ve had :-( Praying the Lord will continue His healing touch on your body.
Thank you so much for your lovely response! Happy holidays to you!