New Beginnings, Timeless Wellness
FEELING FIT-FUN WITH RUNNING
MOOD LIFTING ACTIVITIES
GETTING “GROUNDED”
Making SMART Goals for 2025
Welcome to 2025! As we head into the new year, we find ourselves concerned with what the future holds. The New Year brings new opportunities and a challenge to try something new. Goals, wellness and self-improvement are at the forefront of our thoughts. We might be contemplating a new job, moving to a new city, a new healthier lifestyle, or making a huge change in our lives. Whatever the case may be, the new year feels like a clean slate, a fresh start and the freedom to say goodbye to whatever happened in 2024.
One of the first steps in starting a new year is to determine what your New Year’s resolutions can be. Picking or setting goals can be hard. Perhaps finding something that can make you feel better mentally, physically and spiritually could be the focus. However, sometimes choosing things that tend to be too big can set you up for failure and frustration. This is where setting SMARTer goals can be helpful.
If you aren’t familiar with what a SMART goal is, they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound goals. This method of goal setting helps you come up with realistic and actual resolutions that are easier to fulfill.
Be patient with yourself and try not to get discouraged, change takes time. It takes effort. But remember, if you fail one day, it’s not the end of the world. Start again tomorrow. You have 365 days this year to make amazing, sustainable progress.
Consistency is the key. A little success is always better than no success at all. Winston Churchill said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Churchill emphasizes the resilience and unwavering enthusiasm required to navigate a path from failure to eventual success.
Bruce Lee, however, said “A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.” Lee’s quote introduces a philosophical perspective on goals, suggesting that the journey toward a goal is valuable in itself, even if the goal isn’t ultimately reached.
However you want to look at it, goals help us set a path to personal improvement. We wish you good luck in all of your endeavors in the coming year! Here’s to a fabulous 2025!!
TIFFINIE STORM, PUBLISHER ASSISTANT @GRANDJUNCTIONLIFESTYLE
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Scott Fairbanks | scott.fairbanks@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Tiffinie Storm | tiffinie.storm@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
April Schulte-Barclay, Tiffinie Storm, Melinda McCaw
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
McCaw Media, Lisa "Moose" KralDancing In My Head Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Proverbs 3:5-6
AT WESTERN SLOPE MEMORY CARE, THE IDEA THAT THE PERSON COMES FIRST INFLUENCES EVERYTHING WE DO AND CREATE.
• A Boutique All Memory Care community
• All Private Studio Apartments with individual bathrooms
• The Innovative Vigil Monitoring System
• Specialized Dementia Care: Our entire staff is trained in and dedicated to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other-related dementias.
• Moments Program: A complete-person approach to care and engagement
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact us today.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Endagered Native Fish Restoration Program at Palisade High School 2: Altrusa Volunteers for Cup of Warmth 3: Business Float 4: A Family of Frosties 5: Toyland Treats 6: Children’s Choir Before Tree Lighting 7: Palisade Little League Baseball Photography by Lisa “Moose” KralDancing In My Head Photography
ELEVATE YOUR MOOD
Local Remedies to Beat the Blues
ARTICLE BY MAGGIE MOORLAND
ELEVATE YOUR MOOD: WELLNESS STRATEGIES FOR GRAND JUNCTION WINTERS
As Americans, we are facing a variety of challenges—from economic uncertainties to shifting social dynamics. As always, we have our own personal difficulties to add to those larger scale issues. Personally, I know that it is important to keep a close eye on my mood once winter sets in here in the Grand Valley. I am particularly sensitive to the seasons and winter can bring some significant blues if I am not careful.
Here in Grand Junction, we also have a unique seasonal representation of life's challenges: the winter inversion. An inversion occurs when a layer of warm air traps cold air beneath it, creating a lid over the valley. This phenomenon can lead to stretches of low clouds, less sunlight, and stagnant air, trapping pollutants close to the ground. The gray skies and poor air quality can have an impact on mental and physical well-being, sometimes without us even noticing. Like the layers of air that settle over our valley during an inversion, life’s difficulties can sometimes feel heavy and overwhelming. Yet, just as the sun will eventually break through the clouds, there are ways to help us avoid getting stuck in the gloom, at least for too long. It is just as important to give ourselves grace when we do feel negative emotions. They are part of life too.
In this article, we’ll explore how understanding our local environment, listening to our bodies and minds, and taking small, meaningful steps can help us build resilience—whether we’re facing the change in weather or life’s uncertainties.
THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT OF INVERSIONS
For some, inversions can worsen symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) a type of depression linked to reduced sunlight exposure. The lack of sunlight can disrupt your internal clock and decrease serotonin levels, key for mood regulation. Lengthy periods of gloomy weather can bring on feelings of fatigue, irritability, and sadness.
The air pollution trapped by inversions can affect respiratory health. But studies suggest that poor air quality may contribute to heightened stress and anxiety too. There are a few things we can do to help mitigate some of this. Below are some tips for coping with inversions:
1. Maximize Sunlight Exposure When an inversion sets in, it’s tempting to stay indoors. However, stepping outside during peak daylight hours or heading to higher elevations where sunlight is more plentiful can significantly improve mood and energy levels.
2. Stay Physically Active Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators. Indoor activities such as yoga, swimming, or joining a fitness class can help counteract the effects of reduced sunlight.
3. Consider Light Therapy Light therapy boxes mimic natural sunlight and can be particularly effective for alleviating symptoms of SAD. Investing in one and using it for 20–30 minutes daily during the darker months can make a noticeable difference.
4. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques like meditation, journaling, or even talking to a therapist can help process negative emotions and manage the psychological effects of inversions.
5. Pay Attention to Indoor Air Quality Use air purifiers or houseplants to improve the quality of indoor air, especially during prolonged inversions when outdoor air pollution may worsen symptoms of fatigue or stress.
6. Build Community Connections Social support is crucial for mental health. Consider joining local clubs, attending community events, or hosting small gatherings to stay connected during the winter months.
WE CAN FIND BRIGHT SPOTS IN THE GRAY
Inversions are a reminder of how unique Grand Junction is and by taking steps to address our mental health during these periods, we can hit spring not only surviving but thriving.
Learn about ways to get help and find a health care provider or access treatment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org . In life-threatening situations, call 911.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has an online treatment locator to help you find mental health services in your area.
Sky Chasing
Elevate Kids Promotes Healthy Activity
One in five children and adolescents have obesity, according to the CDC, and this percentage continues to rise. Only 24% of children aged 6-17 engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily. In fact, children now spend more than seven and a half hours a day in front of screens, such as TVs, video games, and computers. Additionally, 52% of children in D51 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a clear indicator of food insecurity. Physically active children with access to healthy food are more likely to be motivated, focused, and successful in school. Mastering physical skills and succeeding academically builds confidence at every age.
But I get ahead of myself. My husband, Doug, and I love outdoor adventures. Over the years, we have biked the Colorado Trail twice. We rode the non-wilderness sections on our third trip and ran the wilderness portions. As trail-running enthusiasts, that experience left us wondering if we could run the entire 490-mile trail.
In 2018, a fitness trainer encouraged a group I am part of to not let our excuses prevent us from achieving our goals. After hearing this reminder for three weeks in
a row, I realized I needed to embrace the challenge to run the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. That night, I shared my dream with Doug. He considered it for a moment and then quickly said, "Let's do it!" This response set in motion a journey that would ultimately lead to the creation of our non-profit, Elevate Kids.
Training for the demanding 490-mile run through mountainous wilderness terrain, with a total elevation gain of over 90,000 feet, was going to be intense. Initially, I focused solely on my personal goal. However, during one run, I realized I was making it all about myself. I asked myself how we could turn this into something bigger. Why not transform our vacation and run into a fundraising opportunity for our daughter's school? Doug agreed, and our training took on a new energy as we started fundraising. In August 2020, we set out from Denver and, 18 days later, arrived in Durango - exhausted but exhilaratedHaving met our goal and raised $20,000 to support the school and provide meals through Kid's Aid's backpack program.
Four years later, Elevate Kids focuses on fundraising for local organizations
“
Physically active children with access to healthy food are more likely to be motivated, focused, and successful in school.
committed to alleviating child hunger and providing opportunities for lifelong fitness habits. This is primarily achieved through our annual Fun Run, held each April. Elevate Kids has contributed over $75,000 to the Grand Junction community by supporting the PE programs of twenty-one schools, providing 40 full scholarships to Girls on the Run, and offering over 20,000 meals to combat child hunger on weekends and three additional non-profit organizations. This effort has engaged over 900 participants and 155 sponsors and has impacted hundreds of GJ kids. We anticipate our largest Fun Run yet on April 6, 2025.
Just as Elevate Kids aims for new horizons, so do we. In fact, ten days after completing our first run, we set a new goal: to achieve the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for running the Colorado Trail. In the summer of 2022, we enthusiastically began our attempt from Durango to Denver. However, due to weather conditions and injuries, we were unable to achieve our goal. Disappointed but undeterred, we decided that I would attempt
“
We are committed to using our love of running and passion for healthy kids to elevate kids in our community.
to break the FKT for women, starting from Durango and running east.
Excited by this new goal, I trained, planned, and again began fundraising for our kids. In the late summer of 2023, I left Durango, determined to succeed. But little did I know how challenging the journey would be. On my third day into the run, I stumbled and landed hard on my left knee. Unbeknownst to me, I had cracked my kneecap, yet I pressed on. I couldn't let down the kids for whom I was raising money, nor my support crew. So, I persevered through the pain. I crossed the finish line in Denver on September 6, 2023, after 12 days, 8 hours, 4 minutes, and 37 seconds, setting the FKT. More importantly, we raised additional funds to support more kids. We are committed to using our love of running and passion for healthy kids to elevate kids in our community. If you are interested in sponsoring or registering for our upcoming Fun Run on April 6, 2025, Please visit elevatekids.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram @helpelevatekids as we chase the sky to elevate kids.
Hospice Care Services
Wellness by Dr. April
ARTICLE BY APRIL SCHULTE-BARCLAY
Welcome to a new year, seen by many as a chance for a fresh start, establishing healthier habits. It is important to realize that when it comes to experiencing true health and wellness, there is no pill or any other quick fix that will effectively help you reach your goals. Instead, achieving and maintaining health is a journey, full of ups and downs; twists and turns, and it involves a willingness to embrace physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges.
Traditionally, one of the most common New Year's health resolutions is to reach a healthy weight. Steps toward accomplishing this goal have been shrouded by misconceptions that have confused the issue. For example, GLP-1 drugs are flooding the public eye with advertisements claiming to balance blood sugar and enhance weight loss. Portrayed as creating joy and boundless energy, these drugs may actually cause further illness.
While this advertising presents a quick fix impression, the path to achieving a healthy weight is remarkably similar to the path for optimizing health in general.
Simply put:
• Eat real foods from the earth; from nature, not processed. These foods may seem expensive, less tasty or hard to make. They are really quite affordable and delicious.
• Move your body. Exercising feels great, energizes cardiovascular and pulmonary endurance, boosts mood, increases energy and improves sleep.
• * Challenge your mind, learning new hobbies, reading books, playing trivia games, and more.
• Explore your spiritual beliefs and develop a sense of community with like-minded people and Mother Nature.
• Calm your nervous system. Healing best occurs within a state of relaxation.
• Establish restorative sleep habits away from all electronics, eat 3-4 hours before bedtime, and relax your mind with prayer, meditation, or reading.
• Live with purpose, spending time delivering gifts and passions to others in your community.
• Live by your own value system.
The plan is simple, not necessarily easy. Challenging as the above may seem, it is easier than relying on pharmaceuticals. One GLP-1 website lists these potential side effects: thyroid cancer, gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), nausea, constipation, pancreatitis, blurred vision, gallstones and many more. This often means if you lose weight, you lose weight because you are sicker than before use of the drug.
Many patients considering a weight loss drug, also have high cholesterol, plaque on the arteries, hypertension, depression, anxiety, insomnia and maybe even have an autoimmune disease or worse. Some patients end up taking a bunch of medications including: statins, high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and a sleeping pill. If you have an autoimmune disease, you may even be on drugs to suppress your immune system, leaving you highly susceptible to other disease processes.
Metabolic
When we feel empowered to take our health into our own hands, we tend to make healthier choices for ourselves. This leads to our metabolism responding accordingly and thereby accomplishing a more steady blood sugar, increased energy, and more balanced-hormones. In this way, establishing a healthy weight is completely achievable.
You are a powerful human being with the ability to make self-loving decisions to reach your health goals. It is simply a matter of you realizing you are worth living life to its fullest and believing in yourself enough to know you can do it. Guidance from a functional wellness provider can help in this personal quest. Happy New Year to Healthy New You!
CONTINUED >
“When we feel empowered to take our health into our own hands, we tend to make healthier choices for ourselves.”
"You are a powerful human being with the ability to make self-loving decisions to reach your health goals."
We hand chop our vegetables throughout the day, roast our meats in the wood-fired oven, make our own sauces in-house and, of course, make our own dough.
We’re so fresh, we don’t even have freezers in our restaurants.
ARTICLE BY SYBIL VELARDE
whirled PEAS!
Vegetable juice is a great addition to your diet especially if you want to lose weight, gain energy, and feel great. Sometimes life gets too busy and you don’t have the time to cook healthy meals. Fall in love with leafy greens, fresh fruit, nut milks, and chia seeds all combined to make a quick, easy, and delicious contribution to your day.
Veggies And Blenders Bring The Health We Need
ENERGY ELIXIR
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 beet
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1-2 inches of ginger
• 1 lemon
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
BLUEBERRY MINT
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 fresh or frozen banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup fresh mint and/or 1-3 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1 cup ice if using fresh fruit
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
GREEN SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups cucumber
• 1 cup Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup celery
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 1/3 cup fresh pineapple (for a sweet smoothie or zest and juice of a small lime for tart smoothie)
• 1 sprig parsley
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries
• 1 scoop organic whey protein powder
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax meal
• 1 scoop green superfood powder
VITALITY ELIXIR
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 lemon
• 1 green apple
• 1 cucumber
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
GREEN NECTAR
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/3 cup celery
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/2 cup kale
• 2/3 cup Granny Smith apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
PINK FLAMINGO
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups strawberries
• 1 cup chopped mango
GREEN MACHINE
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups water
• 1 avocado, peeled
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1 banana
DIRECTIONS:
First, blend the spinach and almond milk in a blender until smooth. Then add the berries and mango and blend again until smooth.
DIRECTIONS: Place spinach and water in the blender and blend until smooth. Then add avocado, mango, and banana and blend again until smooth.
KALEFORNIA ENERGIZING
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups kale, stems removed
• 1 cup water
• 2 oranges peeled
• 1 cup chopped pineapple
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (soak in water for 10 minutes)
DIRECTIONS:
Blend kale, chia water, and oranges until smooth. Add pineapple, mango and blend again.
ARTICLE AND
BY TYLER SHANE
A PERFECT M ARRIAGE SOUP AND BREAD:
Hearty food nourishes the body during cold winter months
PHOTOGRAPHY
What if we chose connection — cooking seasonal meals and allowing ourselves to pause to truly enjoy our food? Maybe cheesy bread could be served without the side of guilt.
As we continue to embrace the cold weather, we may find ourselves craving heavier and grounding foods as we retreat into hibernation. This change in appetite reflects our body’s desire to align with the cycles of nature. Moving into the New Year, it can be common to place more discipline or restrictions on our eating habits. But what if instead of dieting, we nourished ourselves by choosing to support the ebb and flow of our body’s seasons? What if we chose connection — cooking seasonal meals and allowing ourselves to pause to truly enjoy our food? Maybe cheesy bread could be served without the side of guilt. This Italian wedding soup recipe is simple in its approach, but the result is a hearty and brothy dish. Chunky meats and vegetables add texture to the rich, savory broth making it the ideal meal to help you retreat from the cold temperatures. The Hasselback bread loaf is a straightforward, melty wonder and the perfect vessel for sopping up any leftover broth and goodies in your soup bowl. Together, the soup and cheesy bread make for a well-rounded meal to ground you this season, with a little indulgence.
CONTINUED >
HASSELBACK MOZZARELLA BREAD LOAF
INGREDIENTS
• 1 Italian bread loaf
• 1 cup butter
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 8 oz. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Cut foil that is 3 times the length of the bread loaf and lay flat on countertop.
3. Place bread loaf parallel to the length of the foil.
4. With a serrated knife, cut bread in ¾ in. slices, making sure not to cut all the way through.
5. Melt butter in a bowl. Add garlic and seasonings. Stir to incorporate.
6. With a pastry brush, coat the slices of bread with butter mixture. Be generous with your butter! If you have leftover butter, pour the rest over the entire loaf.
7. Grab handfuls of mozzarella cheese and stuff in between each slice.
8. Cover the bread loaf with foil and place in oven. Bake for 20 minutes, uncovering the foil for the last 5 minutes until the top of the bread is golden brown.
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP RECIPE
4 Servings
INGREDIENTS
• 1 lb. fresh or frozen pre-made meatballs
• ½ cup carrots, diced small
• ½ cup celery, diced small
• 1 cup onions, diced small
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 48 oz low sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup orzo pasta (or any small, short noodle)
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped roughly
• 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley
DIRECTIONS
1. Whether freshly baked or cooked from frozen, prepare your meatballs and set aside. Meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge.
2. Bring a medium-sized pot to medium heat. Add oil and butter.
3. Add vegetables to the pot and sweat until onions are translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir occasionally.
4. Add the bay leaf, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to vegetables. Turn heat to medium-high.
5. Bring broth mixture to a rolling boil for five minutes. With tongs, add meatballs to the boiling broth.
6. Add orzo to the broth, stirring continuously to make sure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
7. Continue to cook the pasta for 6-7 minutes. Taste test to make sure pasta is al dente.
8. Throw the fresh herbs into the soup and add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve immediately.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JANUARY 1ST
Rotary Snowball Sweepstakes
rotary-snowball.com | 8:00 AM
Each year in March Rotary Club of Grand Junction hosts Snowball Sweepstakes at Powderhorn Ski Resort. Tickets enter you for a chance to win up to $5000 on race day. Local non-profits that sell tickets get 80% of ticket sales. One of dozens of community support fund raising events conducted by Rotary each year.
JANUARY 2ND
Grapes and Games
Carboy Winery at Garfield Estate, 3572 G Rd. , Palisade | 5:00 PM
A fun filled round-robin style get together for board games, recurring the first Thursday of the month.
JANUARY 5TH
The Fab Four, USA Meets the Beatles
Avalon Theater, 7th and Main, Grand Junction
Doors open at 6:30 pm for this event that runs from 7:30 - 9:30 pm.
For tickets call the Avalon box office at 970-263-5700
JANUARY 5TH
Beer Geeks Trivia
555 Colorado Avenue, Grand Junction | 3:00 PM
Trivia Night at Grand Valley Beer Geeks happens each Sunday afternoon from 3-5pm.
JANUARY 5TH
Line Dancing at Mama Ree's
664 North Avenue, Grand Junction | 8:00 PM
Free Line Dancing and Pool until 2am Every Saturday.
JANUARY 8TH
Poetry Night at the Library
445 N 6th Street, Grand Junction | 6:00 PM
Second Tuesday each month, Western Colorado Writers' Forum holds this event at the central library from 6-7:45pm
Want to be featured?
GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/GRANDJUNCTION
JANUARY 11TH
Powderhorn Kids Games
Powderhorn Ski Resort | 11:00 AM
From 11am - 3 pm every Saturday throughout ski season this free event for kids includes kid sized snow features for the youngsters. Bring helmets, cameras and your enthusiasm for all kinds of ski games specially designed for the kids.
JANUARY 12TH
Full Moon Fire
Whitewater Hill Vineyards, 220 32 Rd | 3:00 PM
Enjoy a pet friendly hang out on the patio with fire pits, friends and full moon views of Monument, Mesa and Mt. Garfield
JANUARY 17TH
Little League Ski Races Begin
Powderhorn Ski Resort | 1:00 PM
From 1-4:30pm this event kicks off the little league racing season.
JANUARY 17TH
Paint and Sip - Palisade
3572 G Rd., Palisade
A guided painting session with Shannon Vialpando. Hosted by Carboy wines. Cost $50 per person. This event is recurring on the second Friday each month.
JANUARY 18TH
Superhero Scores by GJ Symphony
Avalon Theater | 7:30 PM
Ticket info for this pulse pounding event. through the GJSO office at 970-243-6787. This concert is also performed on January 19th.at 3pm.
JANUARY 22ND
Women In Business - Fruita Chamber Members
Food Banks of the Rockies, 698 Long Acre Dr, | 4:00 PM
Volunteer Night at Food Bank of the Rockies goes from 4-7pm.
SELFImprovement ORIENTED
One of the most fascinating facts about Benjamin Franklin, other than being a writer, publisher, printer, scientist, inventor, and being one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, is how much importance he put on the idea of self-improvement. When Franklin was a mere 20 years old, he put together a set of rules in his personal pursuit of being a better person. We have come to know them as “the 13 Virtues”. Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility. These 13 virtues became a daily guide for the rest of Franklin’s life. However, he knew that there was no way to do all of these at the same time and make progress. Therefore, he devised a way to apply them into his life one virtue at a time. Every week for 13 weeks he would work on one virtue. Then after the 13 weeks were done, he would start again. This 13 week cycle was acted out four times a year. As he worked on each virtue, he would keep track of his successes and failures every day, every week, in hopes that the previous weeks would have a positive effect on the week he was working on.
CONTINUED >
"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning."
ARTICLE BY TIFFINIE STORM
Franklin knew that repetition was the key to successfully establishing a new habit. He was constantly striving to meet his goals. He made small changes, one at a time, until they became behaviors. Also, by measuring his progress, he was able to determine his strengths and weaknesses.
Goals and habits are fundamental in building character. However, how we go about it is very individualized. Something that works for Jane down the street, might not work for you. Take me for example. I tried for many years to pick goals at the beginning of the year, completely and totally ready to accomplish them, only to give up three months in because life got in the way. (Or whatever excuse I had at the time.) It was very rare for me to actually accomplish my New Year’s resolutions, which, in turn, always made me feel like a failure. Every. Single. Year.
My daughter, however, is just the opposite. She is an avid goal setter. She even makes a vision board focused on the goals she plans to work on throughout the year. And, to her credit, she almost always completes her goals. Because of my discouragement, due to a lack of follow through and not being motivated with goal setting, I came up with a different way to work on improving my life. Instead of goals, I pick a meaningful word or phrase to focus on through the year. I decided the word or phrase needed to be something that encompasses all aspects of my life. For 2024 my word was “Devoted”. I wanted to be more devoted to my family, friends, work, community, church etc. In 2023 my word was the Hebrew word “Hesed”. Hesed means “loving kindness.” I wanted to show more loving kindness in all areas of my life. And in 2022 my word was “Becoming More”. You get the picture. And guess what? It totally works for me. I can measure my successes/failures by how I’m living my daily life. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle, but I keep making the effort every day. And making the effort is a success.
Now, like I said before, this might not work for you. Just like goal setting doesn’t work for me…that’s ok. Find something that does. Heck, give ol’ Ben Franklin’s way a try. Pick 13 things and work on 1 per week for 13 weeks, four times a year. It is certainly an effective way to accomplish a lot of things in a year, or a lifetime for that matter.
Unfortunately, we sometimes tend to be more focused on things that don’t really matter instead of personal enrichment and being good people. My point is, it doesn’t really matter whether you are goal oriented, word oriented, or virtue oriented. What matters is being “self-improvement oriented”. That is the key.
If you are interested in learning more about Ben Franklin’s amazing life and his 13 Virtues, you can read about him in the book “Ben Franklin: An America Life”.
