Count the Cost

Only a few days left of 2022. The New Year 2023 brings hopes and promises and yet, these will not happen without some measure of change in our lives.

We can announce our intentions, but too often these intentions fall away soon after they are spoken. Why? Because they are not yet habitual! They are new. It is hard work to keep them going? So what can be done?

I have a few ideas based on my involvement in Marnie Swedberg's 21 Day Wins. I have taken 21 days out of each month to cultivate a habit or complete a goal. It feels wonderful to accomplish tasks that have hounded me. It feels good to work on healthy habits and make them solid by taking them in small bites, not a big stuffed bite that chokes life out of the reason behind why I want this in my life. Here are some things I have learned from her:

1. Choose small bites. Don't list a dozen things you want to change all at once. Choose only one thing and if it is big, narrow down a part of it you can work on.

2. Be accountable to someone or a group. Let them cheer you on. Be honest with them in your success and your failures.

3. Most important is to count the cost. What will it cost you NOT to accomplish this? What will it cost in order to make it happen?

4. But along with counting the cost, think also of what you will gain! That is your motivation!

Every month can be an opportunity to improve something in your life! I invite you to join me and Marnie on our journey's. You can find her on FB at https://www.facebook.com/groups/21daywin We will begin our January Win sometime next week.

Let's count the cost and then move forward.

Jesus, You counted the cost of Your sacrifice for us and still completed the goal, even though it was difficult. Forgive us when we don't follow Your example. I want to learn Your way of living, even if I must do it in small ways. Teach me through those who have walked before me because they have learned from You.