Activity 2: New Year Resolutions
To print, download this activity as a Word document.


You'll need:

• copies of the worksheet "New Year's Resolutions" for all. Download "New Year's Resolutions" as a Word document here
• copies of Psalm 139 for all
• pad of newsprint, markers, masking tape
• a copy of Christina Aguilera's song "Beautiful" (on tape, CD, MP3, etc.) and a way to play it
• the lyrics to "Beautiful" written on large sheets and posted around the room. Download lyrics to "Beautiful" as a Word document here .
• soothing meditative instrumental music, live or recorded, and a way to play it.

Before you meet: Notify all participants that you will be establishing some goals for the new school year--individual goals, but also class or group goals. Ask them to write these two questions on the insider of their eyelids, so that every time they blink, they think about them until we meet. (Just kidding. But seriously, encourage each other to think about these things. Something important like this comes to better fruition if it rattles around in people's brains for a while.)

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION #1:
Think ahead to one year from now. How do I want to be different than I am now? Be very specific. Do I want to make a new friend from outside my circle? Be more positive about my accomplishments? Argue less at home? Dream big!

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION #2:
Think ahead to next June. When we look back on this year of this class or youth group gathering, what do we want to be able to say that we accomplished? Be very specific, like "We met every month" or "We raised $X for charity together," or "We achieved the following five actions on behalf of building a more peaceful neighborhood."
Step by Step

1. Explain that while many people make decisions to improve themselves and their lives at the change of the calendar year--January 1, New Year's Day--in fact, with the start of school and the coming of autumn, another kind of new year is beginning. So we are going to get a jump on the new year's resolution thing by making some goals and objectives now.
2. Pass out the worksheet "New (School) Year Resolutions." Go over the definitions of "goal" and "objectives" and make sure that everybody understands the difference.
3. Explain that we are going to make individual goals, as well as goals for the group.
4. Explain that to do so well, we need to establish an atmosphere of reflection, so we'll be taking moments of silence throughout our meeting, as well as listening to music.
5. To begin, pray to the Holy Spirit. Playing some instrumental music in the background, encourage everyone to get very comfortable, even if that means laying on the floor. Everybody closes their eyes and listens to the music.
6. Pay careful attention to your own breathing. Take slow, deep, silent breaths in. Exhale slowly and silently.
7. As you inhale, think, "Come, Holy Spirit..."
8. As you exhale, think, "Fill the world with peace."
9. If you take a break at any point, repeat steps 7 and 8 afterward.
10. When every one has found some inner calm, gather together and listen to Christina Aguilera's song, "Beautiful" and look at the lyrics.
11. Discuss: Why does the narrator in this song need to say that she is beautiful?
12. Discuss: Where do we get the idea that somehow we are not worthwhile? List all the sources on the large pad.
13. Pass out copies of Psalm 139.
14. Explain that this is a prayer for proper self-knowledge, that we may come to know ourselves as God knows us, so that we may love ourselves as God loves us--and thus love God and other people better.
15. Pray the psalm together. Then take a moment of silence. Pray the psalm together again.
16. Explain that we are going to make some personal goals and some objectives that will help us fulfill them. We make goals not because there's something wrong with us, but because we have a lot of talent and can always be making ourselves stronger and healthier and holier.
17. Explain that there will be an opportunity for all to discuss their personal goals if they want some advice and support, but no one will be forced to share their goals. Everyone should be honest with themselves and not have to worry about what other people will think of their goals.
18. Let everybody spread out and fill out the "Personal Goal and Objectives" section of the worksheet. Play instrumental music while all are doing this.
    
    ** Now might be a good time to take a break.**
19. Come back as a large group. Repeat steps 6-8 again. Then all pray together Psalm 139.
20. Allow for anyone who wants to share his or her goal and objectives, or ask for advice about their objectives: How do you think I might attain my goal? No one has to share. But the rule is, we either talk about our own goal and objectives, or we don't talk at all. You might break into small groups or pairs if that would help.
21. At the end of this, one option would be to play "Beautiful" again. Or just go on to step 22.
22. Explain that we are now going to try to make a goal and some objectives for ourselves as a group.
23. Work together or in small groups on the section "Group Goal and Objectives."
24. Decide together how to pick three goals and their accompanying objectives from all the suggestions. You might vote on them, or you might try to reach consensus: the point where everybody can honestly agree to the goals even if one is not one's particular favorite.
25. Use whatever process you decide on to establish the group's three goals. Write those goals on large sheets and post them around the room
26. Write the objectives for each goal on large sheets and post them under their appropriate goals.
27. If these can stay up all year, great! If not, decide that you'll take them down and store them and then put them back up each time the group meets. Or make a copy of them for each member of the group.
28. Set the date for the first check-up, when the group will look again at the goals and objectives and see what progress is being made or what needs to be changed.