Begin Anew
A study by Statista shows that in the United States, the top ten New Year's resolutions in 2025 included: to exercise more, save more money, eat healthier, spend more time with family and friends, lose weight, do more for the environment, improve performance on the job, reduce stress on the job, spend less time on social media, and quit smoking.¹ Pretty much what you expected, right? They are all good and noble things to do and I’m sure that any of them may have a positive impact on your life. However, another study by DriveResearch, indicates that only eight percent of those who make resolutions will follow through on them and 23% quit by the end of the first week.²
Psychology Today suggests some of the most common reasons people fail to follow through are an all-or-nothing attitude, their goals are vague or unrealistic, or that they don’t have an understanding of their why.³ Most people have heard about setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This method can be effective if you tend to set goals that are vague or unrealistic, but this is a little bit like a band-aid. If your downfall is that you have an all-or-nothing attitude, that is, you give up as soon as you slip-up, that’s a difficult one to overcome. You must be kinder to yourself. Know that God wants you to succeed. Every day is a new day and you can start over again. Often the greatest successes come from what we learn in failure. The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT)
What is critical to success is knowing why you want to achieve your goal. Might I suggest a more holistic approach…living intentionally. Living intentionally starts with understanding what you value. When you focus on what is intrinsically important to you, your why is more easily identified. And with a clear why, the work is easier. It involves being more mindful and present in your daily activities, not being on “autopilot,” and purposefully aligning your choices with your beliefs. You will still want to set short-term and long-term goals, but through self-awareness and introspection make slight modifications as you go. Making adjustments allows you to grow at your own speed, discover what works and what doesn’t work, keep aligned with your values, be kind to yourself, and succeed. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
In Romans 6:4, the Apostle Paul writes, Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. In the “newness” of 2026, I hope you find great success with whatever your New Year’s resolutions may be and if you don’t yet know our Lord, that you will find trust in Christ for your salvation.
Feel free to leave your thoughts on living intentionally or just let us know what goals you have for the upcoming year.
Freshening Up a Bit
These days, I live alone in my little house. I love it! Don’t get me wrong. My adorable little house provides everything I need. However, I had decided that I wasn’t going to put up my tree this year. My thought process went kind of like this: It’s too much of a struggle to get it out of the basement. It takes up too much space in the house. It’s just me. No one else will probably even see it. It will look the same as it does every year. Then it struck me that maybe I just needed to freshen up my decorations. I started with a new tree that is easier for me to handle. Then I found a ribbon on Etsy that is gorgeous and paired some new ornaments with the ribbon. I am so happy with the outcome. Along the way, I was reminded that it’s not about me, or my house, or the tree that I put up. It’s about the King who came into this world as a baby and died on the cross to pay for all of my sins. It’s all about Him and celebrating His joyous birth. I just needed to do a little house cleaning and putting things in the proper place. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) A little freshening up never hurt anyone.
I encourage you to try something a little new this Christmas season…to change things up a little. It could be a new ribbon on your tree or stringing popcorn instead. Whatever it is, let it rekindle your spirit as you wish our Lord and Savior a happy birthday. Remain steadfast in His love. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
On a side note…the devil did try to sneak in to foil my plans. My new ribbon went on a voyage all over Kentucky, then from Louisville to Chicago, and Chicago back to Louisville. Last I checked, it just says “in transit.” Many thanks to Laura at RibbonTown for shipping out my beautiful ribbon a second time!
The Ultimate Gift
Have you ever considered why we give gifts at Christmas? Thanksgiving is done and the shopping commences. “It’s just what we always do.” Stop and take a moment to recognize and treasure The Ultimate Gift. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17) As the Wise Men brought gifts to honor Jesus, they established a precedent for giving gifts in honor of Him. In doing so, we remember God’s ultimate gift to humanity, His only begotten Son.
Keeping this present in your mind, the holiday rush and gathering of gifts will be ever so much more joyful. Sometimes, finding just the right gift is very difficult. Do you have people on your list who have everything they could possibly want or need? Try moving away from material things. Most of us don’t need more “stuff.” There are many, many ways to give thoughtful gifts that don’t have to break the bank. Think about skills and talents that you have. Are there things that you can make? Consumable items are good too because they won’t add to accumulating possessions. Consider experiences that someone may enjoy or something that they might like to learn. And something that we all have, that we can give, is the gift of our time. We can “gift” others our assistance in many ways. Stay focused on the why of Christmas and take joy in your gift giving. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
I love gifts of experiences. Consider things to do in your area. You could give tickets to a local museum or other spot of cultural interest. Little add-ons could be a snack bag for the day or a book for journaling interesting things they observed or learned. A fun idea is a gift card to a movie theater. You can package it with a few theater type boxes of candy. Another excellent idea is the gift of knowledge. Do you have ideas about what someone on your list might want to learn? You could give them an app for learning a language. There are many types of learning experiences both in person and virtually. One time my sisters gave me a pottery class as a gift because they knew that was something I wanted to learn. Check around your area for cooking classes, painting classes, or martial arts lessons. The possibilities are unlimited. Some people love pampering and self-care. A facial or massage might be just the right fit.
For some people on your list, the gift of your time may be the most prized gift they receive. Do you know an overworked mom? Give her a handmade gift certificate for an afternoon to herself. Take her kids on an excursion for the day. You could pair it with some calming essential oils or some bath bombs. Some older people may be in need of someone to help them around the house. Gift them a day of yard work or have them make you a “to-do” list for chores around the house.
Have you ever considered sustainable gifts? Practice good stewardship by visiting thrift shops, vintage stores or antique and collectable shops. Up-cycling and vintage is currently all the rage! You can find many inexpensive items that can easily be refinished, refurbished, or made into something completely different. An interesting bowl or container can become a potted plant. An old wooden cutting board can be sanded and re-oiled and paired with a jar of olives and some crackers and cheese (aged Gouda or Asiago are good options not requiring refrigeration). Find a quality frame and add a print or photograph. Don’t forget that you may even be able to negotiate a better price.
Handmade and homemade items are a favorite. Use your skills and show someone that you cared to take the time to make something personally for them. Do you knit? Make a scarf to match their favorite jacket. Do you like to embroider? Embroider them a picture of their home or maybe their “fur-baby.” Are you talented with woodworking? Make them a wall shelf to display their nick-nack collections. One year I sewed calico bunnies and teddy bears for my nieces and personalized sweatshirts for my nephews. I also like making Mason jar mixes with recipes for soups, cookies, and more. You layer the dry ingredients in the jar and attach the directions for the recipient to complete the preparation. A few ideas are below.
Find joy and blessings in the gifts you give this holiday season! Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38) I wish you and your family a beautiful, joyful, and blessed Christmas!
Do you have any great gift ideas to share? Please feel free to leave comments.
The Bounty of Hospitality
By now, most are deeply embroiled in decorating, assembling of presents, baking of cookies, and all of the merrymaking (and sometimes entrapments) of the holiday season. Many have longstanding Christmas traditions and others are just starting to make new ones. In any case, hospitality will be practiced in many ways. You may be hosting the main family Christmas Day meal, preparing Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, having relatives staying with you from out of town, or just having your book club over for an afternoon tea and gift exchange.
The word “hospitality” comes from the Latin word “hospes.” Interestingly, in Latin, that is the word for both “host” and “guest.” This implies a mutual nature in which both parties play a role. It is a give and take relationship. When we are a host, we wish for our guests to be comfortable, happy, well fed, and entertained. When we are a guest, we must be gracious, appreciative, receptive, and tolerant. Hospitality can and does involve entertaining, but hospitality is not entertaining. It is more so a mindset. There is no perfect way to implement hospitality. When in doubt, err on the side of simplicity. Be perceptive of the needs and feelings of your guests, but know they will be more comfortable if you are not stressed. I Peter 4:8-9 says, And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (NKJV) If you are receiving guests this holiday season, please know, they won’t remember what they received. They will remember how they were received.
On a grander scale, hospitality encompasses so much more. God calls upon us to be hospitable to our fellow man. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13 NLT) We do this by serving and loving our neighbors. There are so many lonely people in this world. It is even possible for people to be surrounded by others and still be lonely. They may lack real connection or have low self-worth, anxiety, and difficulty fitting in. Christmas and the holiday season can intensify this feeling. Any and every small gesture can make a big difference in someone’s life. Even a smile in passing can tell them that they are seen.
“But I am the one in need of hospitality.” Do you feel this way? Being hospitable to others is the gift that gives back to you. Just thinking of others and seeing how they are uplifted can be the most uplifting thing for you. Hebrews 13:2 says, Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (NLT) Do you know someone in your neighborhood who is largely shut in? Take them a container of soup or some cookies with a Christmas wish. One day I was purchasing some soft-pretzels. Well, it made more sense to purchase a big quantity (so much more economical). When I got home and realized how silly that was, I took some to neighbors. A simple thing, but again, hospitality is a mind set. Jesus said, But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:13-14 NKJV)
At all times, but especially in this Christmas season, be cognizant of the needs of those around you. You don’t have to have great means to make a difference. Just remember to love on each other. One small act of kindness can make a world of difference to someone else. See people, be present, and be genuine. That is all it takes for you to show hospitality. The Apostle Paul in Romans 15:7 (NKJV) says, Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
Starting Simply, Living Fully
Photo by Diane Fanucci
As this is my first post on my new blog, I would like to provide an overview of where I see this going and a glimpse into how I try to live my life. But let’s start by defining Unpretentious Abundance. Unpretentious - not pretentious; free from ostentation, pomp, elegance, or affectation; modest. Abundance - a great quantity, overflowing fullness, plentiful supply of means or resources. Unpretentious Abundance sounds very much like an oxymoron…and it is. It is because Unpretentious Abundance is about living a life of balance. Over my lifetime, I have experienced times of financial poverty, as well as times of financial wealth. But what I have learned about myself is that I want the least that I need to be comfortable and happy. The more you have, the more you have to take care of. I don’t like feeling burdened by “stuff.” At times, my posts may reflect a minimalist slant. However, I do feel that I truly live abundantly.
There are a wide range of areas that I will be exploring in this blog. There will be discussions on finances - debt, budgeting, credit cards, thoughtful giving; media literacy - fake news and bias, clickbait, scams and fraud; consumerism - consumer protection, product reviews, discounts, bartering; “green” consumerism - sustainability, repurposing, up-cycling; and all things home - hospitality, cooking, decorating, parenting, fashion, fitness, gardening; and so much more.
There is another integral and essential piece to this puzzle of living an abundant life. It isn’t just about material possessions. To live a happy and balanced life, we must also seek spiritual abundance, including joy, peace, love and hope. This is the abundance that results from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. John 10:10 says, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Our God wants us to have full, prosperous, and happy lives. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18) We must trust in His promises to provide for us.
God is the source of all provision. He wants us to have faith in that provision. And in that provision, we need to be grateful; we must demonstrate good stewardship; and we must exhibit generosity. Unpretentious Abundance is about being open to all of God’s bounty, living your best life, and seeing Christ in and throughout your daily life. I hope you take this journey with me.