resolutions?!

I've been thinking for weeks about what my resolutions should be. Of course, I considered the usual things--losing weight, exercising more, eating healthy, being organized, being on time, etc., but I knew I would likely not stick with those things. As I am unable to remember what my resolutions were for last year, and therefore, likely did not actually complete any of them, I have decided to stick with something easy. I suppose this decision also stems from my feelings over the past little while that I am either stagnating or going backward in my development as an individual. I find that it is hard when my days consist primarily of cleaning up after children even when nothing ever seems to be actually clean, making and cleaning up meals, and the other humdrum of life to feel as if I am doing anything worthwhile. I'm not as patient as I should be. Sometimes I snap at the people whom I love the most. I tend to be grumpy more often than not. Often I have a bad attitude. I think I used to be nicer and more giving and service-oriented before I had children. Sometimes the service I am giving to my family seems an awful lot like just plain old chores. I've decided that my goal for this year is to focus on a quote from President Hinckley's first talk in General Conference after he became the prophet. I remember it from 1995 when I was a Young Woman.

"Now, my brethren and sisters, the time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike" Gordon B. Hinckley - Gen. Conf. 1995 Apr.

I really like how he encourages us to stand a little taller or to be a little better. For 2008, this is my goal--to do something every day that makes me stand a little taller and be a little better. It may seem like a difficult goal; that's why I have decided to just do one thing each day that makes me a better person. It may be serving someone outside of my family or serving someone in my family with a more positive attitude. Many days it will likely be responding with patience in a gentle tone when I would rather yell or reprimand. Perhaps it will involve keeping a gratitude journal. It will involve a significant amount of scripture reading and reading of other church publications. It will require lots of prayers. I think this goal will be both easy and difficult as I can do at least one little thing every day, but it will take a lot of little things to be a better person. My hope, though, is that on January 1, 2009, I will feel I am a more Christlike person than I am today.