Happy New Year!

So I got up bright and early today to sacristan for the 9am Mary, Mother of God Mass. Most of you who know me know that I am not a morning person until I have had my cup of coffee. It was a glorious Mass even with the few in attendance. I decided to continue a tradition started last year and went to IHOP for breakfast after Mass. I got my cup of coffee...and started thinking about Resolutions. I don't really like to think about these in the year that is about to end, so over breakfast on the first of the year seemed the perfect time to do so. Here are some that I came up with over breakfast and why.

Resolutions:
-To post at least once a week on one of my blogs
    So here is my first resolution...and part of the reason I am typing all of my resolutions into a blog. I found last year that my blog is a great place to vent, especially when I need to get something off my chest that I am sure others are sick of hearing from me or really don't care to hear. It also makes for a sort of online diary to look back on and see what I have done in the past year, and how I have dealt with things that have come up in my life. So here is to 2014...a year of blogging!
-Daily Mass twice a week
    Yes, I work for a church...and it seems silly that I can't make it ~100 feet from my office to the church at least once a day to spend time in Mass. But I don't always have time to make it to Mass. Often something will come up 20 mins before Mass and I will forget...or finish 5 mins past the start of Mass. Well that has been an excuse up till now. Mass is important! I need to make time for it in my day. I am being realistic, things will come up, but I can make daily Mass more often than I do. And I strive to do so in 2014.
-To spend more time with our Lord, at least once a month
    Along with Mass it is important to spend time with the boss. Am I doing His will? Is he happy with what I am getting done for His church? Time spent asking these questions and listening for the answers is time well spent!
-To strengthen my prayer life
    I pray. Do I have a strong conversational relationship with God...not as much as I would like. I find myself praying at times when it makes sense to pray: Mass, before meals, before staff meetings. But I need to be praying at times when it is out of the ordinary: in the shower, in the car, walking down the hall, while I am working on the bulletin. And I need to work on how the prayer forms...lately it has been a lot of "I want...". I would like to have more "What do you need from me?"
-To brew more beer in 2014 than 2013
    In 2013 I brewed 51 gallons of beer...and helped with another 17.5 gallons. I have found a hobby that I enjoy doing and that I enjoy sharing with others. My goal for 2014 is to try a few more interesting combos and to up my brew/yr to 60 gallons (5 gallon batch every month). I'll need help drinking all of that. ;-) And feel free to ask about the brewing process or how to start brewing your own, I love to talk about beer!
-1,000 miles on my bike
    Two years ago I rode just over 1,000 miles, so for 2013 i set a goal of 1,500...I only ended up riding 645 miles. But on a positive note I did do a 76 mile ride in one spurt...even on a flat tire patched with a $5 bill. I want to get out more on my bike this year...I enjoy the open road and the peace that comes with it. It gives me a chance to think about life and would be a great place to spend more time in prayer.

Now the thing about resolutions is...they don't have to be at New Years. We can begin anew whenever we decide to. New Year's Day seems to be a great kickoff point, but if we falter, we can begin anew whenever...to continue our resolutions!