If you have one overriding goal for yourself, there will be no need for the others. That goal: to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.
For years I was making resolutions, writing down goals, doing all the stuff the self-help gurus say to do to change behavior. Inevitably, I would forget about the goals and fall back. The goals were often related to personal income or weight loss or behavioral goals. But those faded because they were earthly goals. When I started thinking about the real purpose of life, and what the ultimate goal should be, to reach Heaven, then I made that my only goal, and a surprising thing happened. I found myself working on the other goals in the process to make myself the best person I could be. I started being diligent and disciplined with my exercise, my diet, my schedule, all without even trying, planning, or writing those goals down. It all became about one goal and one goal only: Heaven.
"Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given you besides." - Matthew 6:33. There is so much truth to that.
Now as a Catholic, I have a lot of tools at my disposal to stay focused on the goal. Daily Mass, daily Holy Communion, the Rosary, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are tremendous assets and weapons. They help you keep your eye on the prize. But the added benefit is they make your earthly life go smoother and better.
I say these things not to preach how great I am, but to try to help those who struggle with resolutions as I have. Another reason I posted is to hold myself accountable. I can read this and see how I'm still staying with it. I've stuck to this for a month now. So far, so good.
