Getting Started

This year, my sister Emily and I wanted to try something a little different than your typical New Year's resolution.  I think we can all admit that our own resolutions don't always go as well as we had hoped, so instead we're taking on a different challenge for 2011: to give up something for one month, each month of the year.  I thought maybe it would be a little more interesting to choose a monthly "resolution" in the hopes of making 2011 a year for (ideally) permanent positive change.  Of course, I'm in it for the challenge too.

So we're encouraging anyone to join in - for a month, week, or even the whole year – to take part in our challenge of monthly sacrifice.  Of course, no one is perfect; I can say with certainty that there will be months that just don't go as well as others. But this challenge is about making an attempt at a better self and a more peaceful life, and maybe just for fun as well.  There will be days when we mess up or just plain forget, but that's okay.  This blog is a spot to support and encourage one another throughout the year, and to document our progress, failures, and breakthroughs. 

The Challenge for January: Make a conscious effort to stop "gossiping" or voicing negative thoughts about others. 
Everyone likes to vent every once in a while, but this month is the beginning of the year's journey, so we thought it would be good to start off with something that focuses on getting rid of negativity.  I have my mother's favorite saying ingrained in my head from the hundreds of times she's said it: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  Okay, so it's a little cheesy, but kind of good advice when you really think about it (did I really just admit that?).  If January had a slogan, I think that would be it.  At work, school, church, home, anywhere and everywhere, we're going to try and control our negative thoughts toward others: their habits, actions, outfits, whatever might bother or annoy us in any way.  There is really no easy way to measure this, so we're all holding ourselves accountable on this one. I know it's going to take some effort, but I really think it's worth it.  But I guess we’ll find out!

-Em and Erin