Embracing New Beginnings + Your Invitation to Change

I love new beginnings. Like, LOOOOOVVVVEEEE them. 

If I'm being honest, I'm kind of obsessed with them. I love Mondays. I love new months. I love my birthday. And I love each new year. I love new beginnings and the chance for a fresh start. 

That being said, each day really is a new beginning - a fresh start, and a chance to change, progress, and improve. A chance to be a better you. 

The real question is - will you embrace the invitation to change? Or will you settle for what is comfortable, mediocre, and normal?

​The beautiful thing is, you get to choose. 

I don't know what state your marriage is currently in, but I'm here to tell you that 2019 is offering you a fresh start. A chance to nurture your marriage like never before. A chance to change the things you know need to be changed - to look deep inside and really commit to being better. 

I really don't care how bad things are right now, because I know they can get better for you.** Things can improve. You can change. Your spouse can change. Your marriage can change. 

No matter how discouraged you may be about how things played out in 2018, leave the past in the past, don't look back and live in the present while looking forward to the future. Hard to do, I know. 

You can leave behind all the arguments, the lack of connection, the frustrations, the disappointments, the shattered expectations and the petty fights about spending too much. You can leave behind your snarky comments, sarcastic remarks and rude demeanor. 

You can become kind. You can become thoughtful. You can become patient. You can become well mannered. You can become selfless. You can become a better spouse. It's possible. And seeking to be a better spouse is probably one of the best ways you can live in the present, while preparing for a better future.

Now, change doesn't happen overnight. We all know that. And we all know that New Year's Resolutions usually die after the first two weeks of January, but not if you are SMART about your goals. I mean goal. My recommendation to you would be to set ONE GOAL - yes, one little goal - in the marriage department this year.

So, will you join me? Will you join the one little goal club?

You rock. I knew you would join me. Too hard to turn down, right? 

Shake my hand. Way to be. 

I'm sure you have heard of SMART goals, but here is my version for our one little goal club:

S - Start. Just start where you are.

M - Make an effort. More effort than you have ever made before on your marriage. Little efforts over time add up to a lot of progress as the days go by.

A - Act. Act on your goal and follow through. Like, now. Today. Right this second. Do it. Don't let a day go by when you don't act on your goal. The success of your goal really is in your hands. 

R - Remember your goal every day. Set reminders on your phone. Create a physical reminder (maybe your wedding ring, or post-it notes, or a note you can leave on your mirror - something you can see daily) to help you remember your goal every day of 2019, not just the first two weeks of January.

T - Things take time. Change takes time. The rewards of your goal will come, but all according to the law of the harvest. So keep at it, and soon enough you will reap the rewards of your goal. Guaranteed by December 31st of 2019 you will be looking back in amazement at how "one little goal," changed you and your marriage for the better. ​

So, here is my invitation to you: Join my one little goal club and CHOOSE TO BE A BETTER YOU, AND THEREFORE A BETTER SPOUSE, IN 2019. 
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If you do join my little club, I can promise you that you will find a greater measure of happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and connection in your marriage this year. You will learn how beautiful marriage can be when it is nurtured, taken care of, and focused on. You've got this. 

2019 is going to be amazing. I can just feel it. Go after your little goal. You've got this. 

**If you are in an abusive relationship you should seek professional and/or ecclesiastical help, and ignore that statement. Best to you.

Photo Credit: Crooze Photography

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You may also enjoy  16 Goals to Improve Your Marriage in 2016 and The Dangers of Contempt in Your Relationship