Friday, January 1, 2010

Character, But Not the Fictional Kind

Today, New Year's Day, I'm sharing something simple. A personal goal, one that will help shape my own character through the coming months.

Every negative or judgmental thought I have, starting now, has to be countered with a positive one. This will A) help me see the good more often, and B) make me aware of my thoughts, maybe eventually weedling out most of the bad.

I'm excited to see what this does for me.


What about you? Anything you'll work on in 2010 for the benefit of your own personal character?

29 comments:

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

I'm learning to shut up, take a deep breath and listen. I have the bad habit of "being out there", just chatting with everyone and sometimes wishing I didn't have to retrieve my foot from my mouth! So listening...and not with what else is on my mind or how I will reply...but truly listening to what others have to say.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

It sounds trite, but "letting go, and letting God". It's a tall order, but I'm quite sure it would be character building.

Lori said...

That must be one of the best goals I've ever heard of. And I think it will work wonders. Happy new year!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

OOooo, I love that one! I may have to give that one a go, because it will help me with one of my goals! I'm going to leave my Cranky Pants in the closet and wear my Fun Pants more. :)

Deb said...

That sounds like a great goal Janna, and a healthy attitude! I've been thinking in terms of what I want to accomplish, I'll have to think about personal goals...

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Hmm... I'm still working on the faith thing. It seems to get harder the more I learn to walk in it. :0)

Happy New Year, Janna!

Deb Shucka said...

What a great goal to have. Happy New Year!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I'm going to fight off insecure thoughts with more gusto and prayer.
~ Wendy

Linda Hoye said...

I'm going to work on letting go of stress and giving it to the only One who can do anything about a situation.

Katie Ganshert said...

Oh wow - that is an AWESOME idea. Really a challenge. Do you mind if I steal it?

I'd like to shape my character this year. To work more on obedience and discipline when it comes to my spiritual walk. To work more on selflessness when it comes to my time. To take the focus off myself and shine it on others more often.

Happy New Year, Jana.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Janna -

Great post! I need to work on corraling worry before it gets out of hand.

Sassy Granny had a great post on treating runaway thoughts like a stampede. It might help you meet your goal.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Tamika: said...

I'm learning to feed my spiritual man daily for the sake of sound mind. Giving God the first fruit of my day.

Rosaria Williams said...

Wonderful intentions. Pass them on.

Karen said...

Jana, I love that idea. But do I want to be that good? ha, just kidding. I might steal that one.:)

Brenda Pruitt said...

I like that! I think I shall take that one upon myself!
Brenda

septembermom said...

I'm going to look for the peace within me. I want to exercise more patience as a mother and a writer. I'm hoping to give myself time to feel through my emotions and register my thoughts so I can make more beneficial decisions as both a mother and a writer. We'll see how it goes!!

Good luck Janna with your goal! It's a terrific one :)

Jan Cline said...

Great idea...I think my goal is to learn to set goals...and keep them. I think I need to work on the positive thought process as well. Thanks for the inspiration.

Joshua said...

sounds perfect. Im trying to read a book a month.....we shall see how that endevour goes :P

The Hat Chick said...

I want to be a better friend.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

I love the one you proposed -- I may have to "piggyback," giving credit where credit is due, of course.

I have a teacher friend who is naturally like this. She can always find something positive to say about the peskiest rascal in her classroom!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I think that's a wonderful goal, and something I may try to adopt myself. Good luck!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I'm with you. I wish to stop letting the negative attack me and will work on keeping the positive front and center. I'm too hard on myself. There...I said it. :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oooh, that's great Janna. Sounds like an inspired idea for sure.

My three:

Listen more than I talk;
Give more than I take;
Praise more than I complain.

I think we should pray for each other!

Love
Jen
Audience of ONE

Nadine said...

I love this goal!

One of my goals for this year is to focus on the positive and not let tiny negatives ruin big positives. It's going to be difficult but I'm going to try my best.

Carol J. Garvin said...

That's a great goal, Janna. I haven't made any real resolutions but I intend to put renewed effort into being more patient and compassionate. I let things frustrate me much too easily. :|

Happy New Year to you.

Patti Lacy said...

Being a better sport in games.
Being more organized.
Adhering to my early morning, must write rule.

Love this site, Janna! It oozes real and fun and God.

Patti

Slamdunk said...

I think you have an admirable goal for 2010. My goal is to listen more and impulsively act less. Being a dad requires much more patience than I had initially considered.

Woman in a Window said...

I don't do the yearly thing, I do it daily, but mostly unsuccessfully, and that's why I have to try every day, reorganize my focus. I like yours.

xo
erin

0ff_Center said...

I suppose it sounds simple, but I'm going to stop taking bait for arguments. This has been a problem in the past year for me, and this year I have decided to agree rather than argue endlessly. It will decrease my stress level tremendously. It is only the 5th and I've seen results already! Things float by easily if they're not grabbed instantly and analyzed.