New Year's Resolution: WWJD?

In January of 2018, I gave up sugar.  In March of 2018, I was back to eating sugar, although I'll admit, I don't crave it as much.  For 2019, I wanted to do something more meaningful that focused less on myself and more on others.

While living in Idaho for the past three months, I have felt lonely and depressed.  For three weeks in a row, however, during my weekly trip to Walmart, I was able to help some people.  The first two weeks, I simply got something from a high shelf for women, after being politely asked.  The third week, I saw a woman carrying some things in her arms and pushing a case of water bottles with her feet.  Without being asked, I picked up the water bottles and walked to the front of the store with this woman ("I'm not sure where my husband went..." she told me).  These experiences brought me temporary happiness in my lonely state of being.  Although it was temporary, it is the type of happiness I long for.

For the upcoming year, my resolution is love others as Jesus loves them.  This isn't just about helping out those in need.  I'm going to attempt to step way out of my comfort zone and befriend those who, like myself, seem lonely.  What better way for me to make friends?  

This last year, I've been trying really hard to see others the way Christ sees them.  I have met or worked with people who just really get my blood boiling.  But I've noticed that when I show them Christlike love, it becomes much easier to work with them.  Something I've thought a lot about is the emphasis on "I am a child of God" when really, the emphasis should be on "He/She is a child of God".  We get so wrapped up in our own struggles that we forget that the people around us may be having struggles of their own.  

I think of the story of Christ when he fed the multitudes.  He went off to a secluded place but was followed by a mass of people.  Rather than send them away, Christ taught them and healed the sick.  He had his apostles feed them.  He still showed love, even though he was trying to get away for some alone time.

I know that some of what I have proposed to do is going to be difficult, but I also know that through serving others, my life will be blessed as I bless the lives around me.  The road to happiness just might be that simple.

Must Be Funny

I grew up a Nintendo kid.  Super Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon.  With the press of a button I was transported into a world of adventure.  I enjoyed hours of mind numbing entertainment.  At least, my mom thought it was mind numbing.  In fact, one of the most important life skills was taught to me through video games.  That skill was money management.
In the Pokemon games, you can earn money (Pokedollars) by winning Pokemon battles.  The Pokedollars can be used to purchase items for your Pokemon, decorations for your clubhouse, or various activities.  I quickly learned that I had to save my Pokedollars so I could purchase enough health items for my Pokemon before battling the Champion.  In one game, I got up to 900,000 Pokedollars.  I panicked anytime my balance went under 900,000.
In real life, I earn money and I watch how much I spend.  If I reach a certain balance, I reduce my spending.  I save up for important things that I need to succeed in my life.  The year 2018 has been a struggle, though.  Between a new car, car repairs, vet bills, and moving out to Idaho, it became very difficult to save money.  I was spending more than I was earning.  I eventually got to the point where I just stopped spending.  I literally only bought food and gas.
I now have next to nothing in my accounts.  But, because of what I learned as a child playing Nintendo, I can now make a dollar go a long way.  My banking account keeps me up at night, but in the morning, I remember that everything always works out in the end for those who work for what they need.  And 2018 is almost over.  Here's to a cheap and thrifty 2019!