We are now six weeks into the New Year of 2017. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Unfortunately, my bathroom scale is not showing me dramatically reduced numbers, and I haven’t been working out like a world-class athlete. Where do we go from here?

Several weeks ago, my son Colton wrote a devotional article for his employer’s January newsletter. His article challenged his fellow employees to make intentional efforts this year to bless others around them, to look for opportunities to produce random acts of kindness to others.

His article got me thinking. Why are most New Year’s resolutions typically focused on self-improvement and personal fulfillment? While these things can certainly be of value, what if those items were on our secondary list of resolutions?

Our “A list” of resolutions could be focused on how we are going to positively influence and bless those around us. Maybe that’s giving generously to a family that has financial needs and no hope of meeting them. It could mean being intentional about creating a friendship with that elderly couple that lives up the street from you. Perhaps it’s as simple as asking the Lord each morning to show you a person who just needs to know that someone truly cares about them. The list of possibilities is almost endless. Focusing on these types of resolutions could brighten someone’s day or perhaps impact their life for eternity.

I haven’t forgotten that I still need to lose a few pounds and develop some good exercise habits. However, current events and the daily news remind me that many people around us are in personal turmoil. If we turn our focus to how we can positively impact and bless those around us, maybe we can begin creating lasting positive change, one relationship at a time.