Goals for 2012 - Even Ones That Sound Silly

So what if the above picture has nothing to do with goals!  I just loved it and found it on Tumblr.

Getting back to goals, I've written down goals for the past few years.  While many goals go unmet, several are partially met.  At least I'm striving to attain, even if the improvements are small.

One of my friends, who is Latino, made it a goal for 2011 to get more involved in the Latino community here in Kansas City.  Specifically, she set a goal to find Latino friends. 

One day, at a yard sale, she met a woman who was also Latino, they "hit it off" and became friends.  Through this friend, she has since gotten involved with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and worked on fundraising projects for the group. 

What's interesting is we had a discussion before 2011 started, regarding friendships and whether at our age - 50 - if it's possible to really, genuinely make new friends.  I say "Why not?!"  I shared with her that some of my current closest friends are friends I've only had for 5 years or less, but I feel as though they have been in my life for 5 decades.  It's our spiritual connection - Jesus - that's really binds us. 

So, yes, I believe in setting all sorts of goals.  Even beyond the typical - lose weight, start running, get out of debt, etc....

Like making new best friends....

The Wisdom of a Harlem Globetrotter

Years ago, I had the privilege of hearing Meadowlark Lemon speak at a church.  He used to the most famous of Harlem Globetrotters.  They're an amazing group of athletes. 

What Meadowlark taught was to write down your goals. 

...and then God answered

"Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.

This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. 

It aches for the coming - it can hardly wait!

And it doesn't lie.

If it seems slow in coming, wait.

It's on its way.  

It will come rignt on time."

The Message, Habakkuk 2

It's the time of year to reflect on the 2011, but more importantly to set goals for the 2012 and write them down.  It's not that ALL of our goals will always come to pass, but if we write down our goals, there's a chance that some of them will come to pass. 

Living in the moment

Looking at my dogs, I'm reminded of what Cesar the Dog Whisperer said on his show. 

"Dogs live in the present."

They are just a small part of creation, and they don't worry about the future. 

I would like to live in the present, forgetting the past, and not worry about the future. 

How much happier would we all be if we learned to be grateful and live in the moment? 

That's not to say we shouldn't give the future some thought and planning and goal-setting.  If we follow what God says, we will write down our goals.  (Habakkuk chapter 2).

So as I am snowed in with my dogs, cozy on their beds, I will put pen to paper and write out goals for 2011. 

I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me.