New Tradition for the New Year - The Goals and Highlights Box

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New Tradition for the New Year - The Goals and Highlights Box | Family Economics

goals and highlights It was January 1, 2004. I had been married for two years, but I had yet to experience a New Year’s Day feast with my husband’s family. We sat down like we had at every other holiday feast and started the conversation as usual.

But just before dessert, my father-in-law shifts the conversation and starts passing out little pieces of paper and pens to everyone.

And I think, uh oh, is this a test?

“It’s time to share our highlights from this past year. And write out our goals for this next year.” Phew. No test!

Everyone began writing out their goals, as everyone at the table knew to expect this, except me! Now I have come to love and adore my husband’s family tradition. They spend an hour every New Year’s sharing highlights from the previous year, reminiscing about vacations, promotions, births, baptisms, and other amazing events that took place that year. This is followed by everyone sharing what they hope to accomplish in the New Year.

I felt inspired and empowered during this first time of sharing with his family. I felt like the New Year had purpose, and I felt like the events from the “old year” had come full circle as we reflected on the many blessings in our lives.

After the time of sharing, everyone places their paper with their goals into the box. The box is then kept in a safe place, only to be opened at the next New Year’s Day. Or, if someone needed to be reminded of their goals.

The highlights and goals box isn’t about resolutions. It’s about connecting on a deeper level, sharing with each other our hopes and dreams. It’s about staying positive and focusing on the good from the past year, and the good that you wish to accomplish in the New Year. And it’s about reminding yourself that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Resolutions are so yester-year! Goals and highlights are the new and improved way to start out the New Year!

How do you and your family share new goals and highlights with each other?

1 Comment so far

On Thursday, December 30, 2010, Jennifer, mother of 4 wrote

That's a lovely tradition!

Thank You

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