One question for 2023

It’s that time again, the time when we think about our lives and set intentions for the coming year, and then promptly re-familiarize ourselves with why we were living that way already. 

There are many articles about the best way to set intentions, or to keep resolutions, what sort of resolutions are likely to stick, and which are less likely, and how many days it takes to set patterns. 

I want to suggest a very simple question for anyone seeking to live a little bit more intentionally this year. It is a question that if we ask it more often we will make simple, subtle life changing decisions, with ease!

When you think of who you want to be, or who you are becoming, and you want to change the path this question will help. 

When you are already on your right path and striding confidently into the future this question will act as a compass keeping the wind at your back. 

The question is:

Why am I doing what I am doing?

Whether you are sitting down to watch Netflix/Crave/Disney+/Youtube videos/pornography, ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Sometimes you will be able to watch guilt free (well maybe not the porn). And sometimes you will do something else, something more productive. 

When you reach for a drink, or want to place a bet, ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Sometimes you will go ahead and pop the cork other times you will make tea.

When you reach for cake/cookies/chips…ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Sometimes you eat it and enjoy, other times you make a smoothie. 

Colossians suggests that whatever we do we do to the lord, and maybe that is a helpful filter to us. 

For many of us that is a reach. If we can gain a level of self-mastery that might lead us to submitting better to God’s good intentions for us. 

For now, can we do what we do in the name of who we want to be. 

Do I want to be the person who eats cookies everyday and never works out?

Do I want to be the passive recipient of entertainment or one who creates value?

Whatever images and questions will drive you, when it comes to how we act in 2023 asking why am I doing what I aim doing will lead us down better paths. 

I suggest writing that question at the top of a page, think about the most important actions in your life, and take the time to write an honest answer to it.