It’s that time of year again!
January 1, 2014 is around the corner. Many of us take this time to reflect on the past twelve months and decide what parts of ourselves we hope to change and improve for the upcoming year. Before we celebrate 2014, let’s take a look at some of the most popular new year’s resolutions for Americans:
1. Spend More Time with Friends and Family
2. Get Fit, Exercise More
3. Lose Weight
4. Enjoy Life, Manage Stress
5. Learn Something New
6. Be More Eco-Conscious and Recycle
7. Volunteer to Help Others
It’s interesting that volunteering to help others comes in at the bottom of the list, but if you think about it, many of us set out to volunteer in the new year, but don’t ultimately commit to the resolution because life can be more hectic and full than we anticipate.
The good news is that by volunteering on a local or international mission trip, you can tick a few other resolutions off your list. Want to spend more time with friends and family? You can get them involved in your mission trip by asking for help raising funds and helping to get the word out about your plans. Mission trips also provide the ideal opportunity to meet new friends and learn new skills.
Volunteering on a mission trip involves exposing yourself to other cultures, which will broaden and change the way you approach your life and how you want it to be, not just in the new year, but for years to come. Mission trips are game changing experiences, and isn’t that what new year’s resolutions are about?
Even if you do not have time to volunteer on a mission trip this year, you can encourage and support someone that is by donating to, and promoting, their trip. Supportive advocates are important and necessary to first time missionaries. You can help in lots of ways.
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays can be so inspiring! Check out Mission Discovery’s complete roster of mission trips (including Haiti and Jamaica) for 2014 as well as our donation needs. Who knows what this year has in store for you?
