Aspirations

     This time of year we are asked to make New Year’s Resolutions.   I believe we could take any day to make a resolution. However it is never a bad idea to use a point in time, or multiple points in time to do this.  Throughout the year, we can reassess how we have performed on previous resolutions and adapt as necessary.  But I think resolutions have to start with aspirations. I have found it easier to achieve resolutions if I know what it is I hope the outcome to be. I have found it helpful to be very specific in my outcome. The specific outcome will make the specific resolution very different. If I want to lose 10 lbs. over three months, my resolution would have to be different than if I wanted to lose 10 lbs. over 12 months.

Even more importantly, I ask myself why I want that outcome.  My aspiration is to live a healthier lifestyle in 2014.  Specifically I want to lose 20lbs over the next 12 months by eating healthier food and exercising at least 3 times a week. Feel free to check in with me throughout the year to see how I am doing.  I will still be bringing bagels on Sunday, but I may have to cut back on my personal intake of them!! The reason I want to be healthier is to have more energy for our Ministry together and to be able to live a longer, active life, so I may see my children and grandchild(ren) continue to grow older for as long as possible.  I ask you to think about your aspirations and resolutions, but more importantly to ask yourself why?  There is power in focusing on why.

As we do this for ourselves, I also discern what my resolutions and aspirations are for the Congregation.  The aspiration is easy. We have our vision and mission to guide us. The question is why and how.  The why for me is to have a positive impact on facilitating changes for the better in individual lives, our Congregational Community, and the Quad Cities.

To achieve this, my resolutions for myself and the Congregation are:

To have patience in moving forward.

To not be resolved to personal outcomes, but to the Congregational Mission and Vision.

To experiment with different ways of experiencing Congregational Life

To remain open to new people, new ideas and new ways of being in the world.

To be open to change.

To listen more and judge less.

To forgive each other for failures, including our own.

To move forward with hope for a better future.

To be willing to act to make that better future real.

To act with compassion in all our interactions both within and outside the Congregation.

No one knows what the future will bring.  Knowing that we will be together to explore the future, should give us not only comfort but the courage to face that uncertainty.  If not us, who? If not now, when? The Quad Cities needs us.  The Congregation needs you. We need each other.  Let us be resolved to journey towards our greatest aspirations.

with a grateful heart,

Rev. Jay