Why You Should Have a New Year’s Resolution or Goal – For Teens & Youth
As adults I think we all know or at least are aware of the importance of goals. Most of the time we do this for our work or business but often fail to do this for ourselves personally. Because we as adults understand the importance of goals I am actually writing this from the perspective of why teens and youth should have goals as well. Now, if you are an adult reading this, fine, you’ll find just as much value as a youth would, I would think. Otherwise I would just say, “OK Boomer”.
So, you are a teenager, why should you have a goals? I mean it’s not like you actually have to plan that much for anything beyond studying for your next test or class. You probably live with your parents who are the ones with the ultimate worry of providing for you financially, safety and security, and working to provide a family vacation or quality time together to make up for all the time spent at work or otherwise. So again I ask, why is it important for you have a goal or resolution for this coming year?
Jesus often answered a question with another question and in like fashion I will do the same; are you happy or satisfied with how this past year was? Would you have wanted something to change? If so how can you expect it to change if you never had a road map? This reminds me of story of a traveler who stopped to ask someone where they were. The stranger replied, “where are you going?” and the traveler stated they didn’t know. So the stranger said, “then it doesn’t matter where you are!”.
WHY
In a Harvard Study it found that 80 percent of students had no goals set (written or thought of), 17 percent had an idea of goals they would like to achieve and 3 percent actually had clear and defined goals written down. Fast forward 10 years later and the study found that the group of 17 percent made 10x more money than the 80 percent who had no goals and the 3 percent who had goals written made 10x more money than the entire group together. That is the power of having goals. They give you a path, a road map to go by. Otherwise as the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland said, “any ol’ place will do if you don’t know where you are going”.
Now let me warn you, life is NOT about how much money you can earn. Some would say that ‘money is the root of all evil’ when actually that statement is incorrect, maybe caused by a mandela effect. The correct statement from the Bible is “The love of money is the root of all evil” 1 Timothy 6:10. You see money is amoral. Which means it is neither good nor evil just like a brick or a hammer can be used to break windows or build a house for the homeless. It is what we do with it that matters. But I digress, the point is Goals are not just about money. They can be whatever you want.
For example, perhaps it is to read so many books this year, spend more time with family, learn a new skill, or whatever it is for you. I actually teach a “Creating Your Life Plan” workshop which is really profound. In it I speak that while having goals is great, what is better is having a PURPOSE behind those goals. Otherwise goals without purpose become a string of hollow victories endlessly being replaced by more goals. I would be happy to host this workshop which takes about an hour to do. To find out more visit my business page or my personal page. I would be happy to share with you my Life Plan. It is no secret and is only a few pages long.
HOW
Believe this or not, I have just recently learned this can be more complicated than you think. If you want to do it right. I have been reading a book called “Man in the Mirror” by Patrick Morley. It has been one of my goals to finish this book. In a recent chapter regarding time management and planning it speaks of this when making plans and discerning God’s Will:
- I tell God what I am going to do.
- God responds
- I beg God to let me do it anyway!
- Finally I humble myself and listen.
- God tells me what HE is going to do.
I found this interesting that yes even though we make our own plans and goals do we actually consult the one who directs our life? My personal life verse is Proverbs 3:5,6 which goes, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your paths.” Which means to me that I have to have faith and trust in God that no matter what happens in life it is for HIS purpose. The bad and the good and to not ‘lean on my own understanding’. Also that I should recognize HIS hand in everything and by doing so HE will lead me where HE wants me to go.
The book further breaks it down with another verse from Proverbs 16:1-4. It says, “To humans belongs the plans of the heart but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end.”
Proverbs is full of great advice and wisdom. So, HOW to go about with creating your plans or goals for 2020. Well, when you first have the idea forming in your head you should consult with GOD through prayer and meditation first. As the Borg say, “Resistance is Futile”, you might as well consult the Master before you begin because ultimately we are just wasting our time if it is not in HIS will.
After you have prayed and meditated on it the next thing is to write it down with a clear action plan. This is the method I use:
- Priority/Goal
- Purpose (Why this Goal is important)
- Supporting Verse or Inspirational Quote
- Envisioned Future (What will it look like when this is achieved)
- Current Reality (Be Honest)
- Action Plan (How will you achieve this)
SUMMARY
I know this was already long and it could be longer and I would be happy to discuss this further which you can contact me or leave a message in the comments but it is important that EVERYONE have some sort of goals. Goals to be accomplished in the next year and even the next five years. These goals should give life to a Purpose otherwise they are merely superficial and we continue in this rat race being lost spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Empty and hollow. But first we should always pray about it and listen for God’s will in our lives. Once it is set we need to commit it to the Lord.
For those adults I often remark how funny it is that we give more time and attention to what we are going to do with the 2 weeks of vacation we might have than on what legacy we will leave our families. Consider that. You’re planning a cruise or Disney vacation for the summer or maybe a beach trip or a mountain escape. But how much time did you spend on deciding what legacy you will leave to your friends, your family, your church, etc?
Consider these two stories. 1) A shop owner who works 7am to 9:30pm to run his business and try to earn as much money as he can. He eventually becomes tired and and his tension and hostility shows to his customers who are slow to return for repeat business. He has little reserves to fall back on. And 2) another business owner who decides that if it can’t be done by 6pm then he doesn’t need the money. He spends that time with his family and his church. Helping others. His home life is balanced and it shows to his customers that he is concerned and cares for them. Money isn’t everything. I would rather be the second example.
I was given a special gift by someone. A young man named Stephen. It was a framed quote that says, “Make it a rule…never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say ‘I have made one human being at least a little wiser, a little happier or a little better this day’.” – Charles Kinglsey.
New Year’s Examples for Youth (Feel free to add your own)
- Love Yourself
- Forgive Someone
- Do Something Brave (Ride that roller coaster, bungee jump, give a speech, tell someone how you feel about them)
- Learn A Life Skill (Auto Mechanics, Financial education, Cook, etc)
- Be Present in the Moment (Put Your Phone Down at Dinner or with friends)
- Ask Your Parents something about their childhood
- Write Something Down Everyday that You are Grateful For
- Read the Bible (Daily devotion)
- Keep a Journal
- Make a New Friend
- Rekindle and Old Friendship
- Volunteer or Do Something Selfless to Help Someone Else
- Read a Book that will help you be a better person
Frequently Asked Home Health, Skilled Nursing Facility, and Hospice Care Questions Relating to Medicare
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Does Part A or B Provide These Benefits?
Medicare Part A provides benefits for SNF if certain requirements are met.
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What Are The Requirements for Part A to Cover SNF?
- Have been in a hospital inpatient ( as opposed to being inthe hospital for observation) for at least three consecutive days (not counting the day the patient is released) before being admitted to a Medicare - certified skilled nursing facility.
- Be admitted to a SNF within 30 days of discharge from the hospital.
- Require daily skilled care that can only be provided as an inpatient in this type of facility.
- Be certified by a doctor or appropriate medical professional as requiring skilled nursing services on a daily inpatient basis.
- Be treated for the same illness or condition for which they were a patient in the hospital (even if it was not the reason the person was admitted to the hospital).
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Does the Patient Have to Show Improvement In Order to Continue Care?
For many years facilities would apply the "Improvement Standard" however in Jimmo v Sebelius that changed. Medicare will cover skilled care provided in a skilled nursing facility, at home, or as outpatient therapy, regardless of whether a patient is likely to improve as long as they continue to meet qualifying criteria.
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What is the Benefit Period for Skilled Nursing Facility?
Medicare's coverage of a skilled nursing facilty stay is limited to a maximum of 100 days per benefit period.
The benefit period can sometimes be referred to as a spell of illness.
- Begins the first day that a beneficiary receives inpatient hospital or SNF care.
- Ends when a beneficiary has not been in a SNF or hospital for at least 60 days in a row (or, if a person remains in a SNF, when he or she hasn't received skilled care there for at least 60 days in a row).
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Is There a Limit to the Number of Benefit Periods?
ButtonThere is no limit to the number of benefit periods available to Medicare Beneficiaries. However, once a benefit period ends a beneficiary must have another three-day qualifying inpatient hospital state and meet the other requirements noted earlier before they can get another 100 days of SNF benefits.
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What Happens If I Don't Use All My Days and then Have to Go Back into a SNF?
If a person is released or no longer needs SNF but then later requires the SNF care again:
- Less than 30 days - The person doesn't need a new three-day inpatient stay to qualify for additional SNF coverage, but they need to continue to meet all the over coverage requirements.
- 60 Days or more - Medicare will not cover additional SNF care unless the person has a new three-day qualifying inpatient hospital stay and meets all other coverages if a break lasts for 60 consecutive days in a row.
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Are There Any Co-Pays or Deductibles That I Have to Pay for SNF?
ButtonMedicare Part A does have a deductible that must be paid for any hospital admission and those rates can change from year to year. You can visit cms.gov to check the current Medicare Part A deductible.
Medicare pays for the first 20 days of skilled nursing facility care, with no deductible or coinsurance. However, the patient is responsible for daily co-payments after the twentieth day. For 2023, the daily SNF co-payment was $200 for days 21 through 100. After 100 days in a benefit period, the beneficiary must pay all costs.
Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, or Supplemental Hospitalization plans can help reduce these costs if you have one of those plans for an additional monthly premium.
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Does Medicare Pay for Home Healthcare?
ButtonMedicare will pay for home health care if a person meets certain eligibility criteria and if the services are considered resaonable and necessary for the treatment of the person's illness or injury.
- Home Care - means services of a personal (nonskilled) care provider for assistance with activities of daily living (such as bathing, eating, dressing, continence, and transporting) or incidental activities of daily living (such as housekeeping, laundry, bill-paying, grocery shopping, etc).
- Home Health Care - addresses the needs of an individual for professional care including that of a registered nurse, physical therapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, or doctor for medically necessary in-home visit.
Medicare covers home health care; it does not cover home care when personal care is the only type of care needed.
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How Do I Qualify for Home Healthcare?
ButtonTo receive Medicare-covered home healthcare benefits, a person must be eligible for and enrolled in Part A and/or Part B. The following requirements must also be met:
- A qualified medical professional must certify that skilled care isneeded and must prescribe the plan of care.
- The services provided must be by a participating Medicare-approved home healthcare organization.
- The patient must need at least one of the following; Intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech language pathology, continued occupational therapy.
- The patient must be confined to the home (homebound).
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What Services are Provided under Home Healthcare?
ButtonHome Health Aide Services:
- Simple dressing changes
- help with medications that are self-administered
- assistance with activities that are directly supportive of skilled therapy, such as routine exercises and practicing functional communication skills
- routine care of prosthetic or othotic devices.
Medical Social Services - Ordered by a doctor to help a person with various social and emotional concerns related to an illness that may interfere with the person's treatment or recovery.
Physical, Speech-Language, and Occupational Therapy - If ordered by a doctor.
Excluded Services:
- 24-Hour per day care at home
- meals delivered to the home
- homemaker services like shopping, cleaning, and laundry
- personal care given by home health aides (like bathing,, using the toilet, or help in getting dressed) when this is the only care needed.
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How Long Can I Receive Home Healthcare?
ButtonThere is no limit to the length of time that a person can receive home healthcare benefits. Once a person meets the initial qualifying criteria.
Recertification is required at least every 60 days when the patient needs continuing home healthcare.
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If I Have a Medicare Advantage Plan Do I Have Supplemental Benefits?
ButtonBegining in 2019, CMS expanded the definitional scope of "supplemental benefits" that Medicare Advantage plans can offer. But all Medicare Advantage plans are not same as they may have different rules, costs, and restrictions on services but required to provide at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare (Part A & B).
Additional Services that may be included with your Medicare Advantage plan:
Adult Day Care Services - services provided outside the home, such as assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.
In-Home Support Services - services performed by a personal care attendance to assist disabled ormedically needy individuals with ADL's.
Home- Based Palliative Care - services not covered by Medicare in the home for palliative care ("comfort care") to diminish symptoms of a terminally ill enrollee with life expectancy of more than six months.
Transportation for (nonemergency) Medical Services - transportation to obtain Part A, Part B, Part D, and supplemental benefit items and services. It can not be used for non-medical services such as groceries and errand.
Home Safety Devices and Modification - safety devices to prevent injuries in the home an/or bathroom.