I read an article in the Saskatchewan Edition of the Anglican Journal written by The Right Reverend Gregory Kerr-Wilson in which he shared his opinion that New Year's Resolutions are wrong. Basically, his problem with resolutions is the fact that if you succeed you could be prone to pride and if you don't succeed, you could be prone to depression. While that may be true, I don't think that there is anything wrong with resolutions. I think that the risks of being prideful or too hard on ourselves are present in so many things in daily life. Take studying for an exam, or cooking dinner for some guests, or sharing a sermon in church. In each of these one might be prone to pride if they do very well, or to depression if they fail. Life is full of opportunities to succeed and just as much full of opportunities to fail, so is it appropriate to just give up because we don't want to risk becoming prideful. I don't think so. There is a risk of getting hit by a car when I walk to work in the morning, but it would be wrong if I let that risk stop me from living my life. I think that letting the fear of becoming prideful or depressed stop one from living their life is just as sinful as being prideful or depressed (is being depressed even a sin?). I don't feel that we are sinning when we resolve to change ourselves in the coming year. With that being said, here is my list:

-Lose Weight: Probably the most common resolution and the most recurring of my own resolutions, I would like to lose 40 pounds within the next 365 days. The plan: No more soda (diet or regular), No fast food, Excercise 3 times a week, Smaller portions, Eat breakfast every day.

-Learn a language: I have never resolved anything like this before, but I would like to either learn a new language or at least refresh the french that I have neglected since grade 8. I have thought about brushing up on my french for a while now and I am going to do it in the next 365 days.

-Read the Bible in its entirety: There are 1189 chapters in the Bible and if I read four chapters per day, it will take me 297 days.

-Read at least six books other than the bible: I have a lot of books that I havn't read. Honestly, I think its a shame and I would like to read at least six of them this year. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I am not a very fast reader and I want to set a goal that is attainable.

-Tithe at least 10%: I need to make an effort to give at least ten percent of my monthly earnings to the church.

-Save at leat 25%: By the end of 2007, I would like to have at least 25% of my past year's earnings put away in savings.

-Be more romantic

I think that's it for now. Let me know what you think.