No Time To Put Off New Year Resolutions

Yep-- it is that time of year again to evaluate where I am at, and what I'd like to change to get to where I want to be. I can think of no better place to look for some real world advice than with my in-laws who have a combined total of 183 years life experience.

My father-in-law is 93 years old and my mother-in-law is 90. But numbers aren't everything. It's what you do with your life that really matters. Despite some recent setbacks, they still live on their own (with a little help), they try to stay relevant and active as best as they can, and they still have the capacity to think and remember.

We spent the recent Christmas holiday visiting with my in-laws. As I watched them go through their daily routine, I was reminded of the subtle themes that have become the fabric of their lives, defining who they are, day in and day out. They don't have the luxury of waiting for a new year to come around to evaluate and improve. Each day they live is a blessing and they know it. They resolve to be their best now. And their best includes these six ideals:
1) Be Generous While my in-laws don't have much in the way of material goods, whatever they do have, they never hesitate to share. A simple meal, bottled fruit (that they put up themselves), baked goods, a kind word, a smile, their full attention -- meaningful gifts that are valued way more by the recipients than what they actually cost. 2) Refinement Matters Treat everyone and everything with respect. Incorporating a sense of refinement helps you rise above the daily doldrums and creates extraordinary feelings in ordinary circumstances. My mother-in-law takes pride in putting together an elegant table for family meals. This small gesture conveys respect for civility and order, something truly lacking in today's world.

3) Keep Learning Never refuse an opportunity to learn about or do something new. Stay fresh and use your mind. Add to your knowledge and understanding. We prepared an authentic Swiss Fondue dinner that my in-laws had never experienced before. They were so interested to learn about the meal, the preparations, and how to eat it.

4) Forge Friendships My in-laws have known these friends since 1957. While they haven't always lived near each other, through the years, they have stayed in touch, shared family milestones and several vacations. Their friendship has created a bond of trust and familiarity that has carried them in to their twilight years. Taking the time to cultivate lifelong friendships is an investment that yields high returns.

5) Have Faith They will be the first to tell you that maintaining their belief in God, Jesus Christ, and His commandments sustains them and gives them purpose every day. Of all their decorations, they were most anxious to show us their tribute to Christmas they put together this year, a reminder to never forget the real reason for the Season.

6) Family First When it is all said and done, as the sun sets on a life well lived, what matters most are your relationships with your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Keeping them close at heart, letting them know how important they are to you, showing love with small acts of kindness is where priorities need to be.

So, as I embark on a new list of self-improvement for 2014, I think these six traits are a pretty good place to start.
Which of these life lessons interest you the most?