by Elihue Smith
I don’t know about you, but every time a New Year rolls around, I get a feeling kind of like walking out on the porch at first light. The air’s cold, the world’s quiet, and the day’s still young enough to go any direction you choose.
I’ve seen a fair number of years come and go—more than I ever expected, to be honest. And if there’s anything age will teach you, it’s that time doesn’t fool around. One minute you’re young and spry, the next minute you’re wondering why your knees sound like you’re walking on a bag of corn chips.
But it also teaches you something else: every year is a gift, and you ought to set your feet on the right path as it begins.
So here’s a handful of resolutions from an old country man who’s spent a lifetime in the woods, on the water, under wide heaven, and walking with the Lord. If they help you start your year right—well, that’s a blessing to us both.
Put Jesus First—Start Each Day in the Word and in Prayer
Before I get into all the outdoors talk, let me start with the most important thing I’ve learned in all my years. Before you lace up your boots or load your tackle box, here’s the truth: the greatest journey you’ll ever take isn’t down a trail or across a lake—it’s growing closer to Jesus.
When I was younger, I treated my faith kind of like extra gear—something I appreciated but didn’t always pick up as often as I should. But the older I get, the more I realize that reading the Bible and praying daily isn’t just a “good habit.” It’s life-giving. It’s grounding. It’s direction when you’re lost, comfort when you’re worn out, and strength when you feel like you’ve run out of your own.
Set aside real time every day—not just “if I get around to it”—to open your Bible, talk to the Lord, and listen. The outdoors will feed your soul, sure… but God’s Word transforms it.
Pray like He’s sitting at the kitchen table with you—because He is, whether you feel it or not. The closer you walk with Him, the clearer life gets. The world is a noisy place. Your mind gets crowded. But a little time in Scripture and prayer settles your spirit like calm water on a windless morning.
If you don’t do anything else on this list, do this. Everything else falls into place when He’s first.
Explore Someplace New Once in a While
I’ve lived in the country most of my life, and even now I still stumble across backroads, trails, and fishing holes I’ve never seen before. Get out and find something new every month. Doesn’t have to be across the state. Sometimes the best spots are just down the road, past where you usually turn around. Fresh ground has a way of waking up the heart.
Work on Your Skills More Than Your Stuff
A younger man thinks more gear makes him better. An older man knows better.
Take time this year to learn to tie a new knot, improve your shooting skills, study wildlife habits, learn some basic first aid skills, work to improve your tracking skills, or maybe get better at reading the waters you fish. Good skills don’t rust, don’t tear, and don’t burn a hole in your wallet.
Take Care of Your Body—Your Future Self Will Thank You
Outdoorsy shape is different from gym shape. I’ve known fellas who could out bench-press a NFL offensive linesman, but couldn’t hike a mile without sounding like a runaway freight train.
Stretch a little. Walk more. Strengthen your legs and back. Keep your shoulders loose.
I promise you—your outdoor days will feel easier, and you’ll enjoy them more.
Pack Your Gear the Night Before
One of the wiser habits I ever picked up was packing the night before. Morning you is forgetful, slow, and too easily talked out of going. But if the bag’s ready, the rod’s rigged, the boots are by the door—well, then you’re practically committed already.
Keep a Simple Outdoor Journal
Just a simple pocket size tablet that you keep handy. Just jot things down like the date, the weather, what you saw or did, what worked and what didn’t, and the little things that made that particular day special. By the year’s end, you’ll have a record of blessings you’d have forgotten otherwise. It’s like keeping track of God’s fingerprints on your days.
Find Some Good Folks Who Love the Outdoors Too
Running solo is fine—I’ve done plenty of it. But having people who understand why you get excited about a pretty cast or a fresh deer track in soft dirt… that’s worth more than gold.
Join a group. Share stories. Learn together. Community is one of God’s best gifts.
Give Back to the Land God Made
We take a lot from the outdoors—meat, fish, peace, memories, sanity. It’s only right to give something back. Pick up trash even when nobody’s watching. Help with a cleanup day. Practice conservation. Leave places better than you found them. Creation was God’s first gift to mankind. Treat it with respect.
Try Something New Just to Keep Life Interesting
Don’t let the years make you stale. There’s always something new to try. If you love to bass fish, learn to cast a fly and see what trout fishing is all about. If you love to hunt deer, try squirrel or turkey hunting. If you love to raise a garden, grow something you’ve never grown before. Learning new things keeps your mind young.
Slow Down—There’s More to See Than You Realize
The older I get, the more I realize how much beauty we
miss by rushing around all the time. Take a few minutes every trip to just… stop. Listen to the wind. Watch the way sunlight sits on the water. Notice small tracks. Smell the pines. Stillness will teach you more than noise ever has.
Buy Less, Buy Better
You don’t need a garage full of cheap stuff. You need a small handful of dependable things you trust. A wise man buys once, and buys right; then takes good care of it.
Make Sunrise Part of Your Life
Every sunrise feels like a blessing—like God whispering, “Here’s another chance.”
Get up early. Get outdoors. Watch the world wake up. It’ll do more for your soul than any self-help book ever could.
Make Ordinary Days a Little More Adventurous
You don’t need a weekend trip to enjoy nature. Eat your lunch outdoors. Take a short walk after work. Cast a line for ten minutes, even if it is in your driveway. Watch stars from the tailgate.
Life’s better when you notice the small things.
Teach Someone What You Know
Passing things on is one of life’s great honors. Show a kid how to fish or build a camp fire. Teach someone to shoot safely. Share your mistakes so they don’t repeat them.Open the outdoors to someone new. If you don’t pass along your wisdom, it dies with you—and that’d be a terrible waste.
Choose One Big Goal for the Year
Every year deserves one big adventure—something that gets your heart pumping again.
A long hike, a new species to catch, a bucket-list trip, a garden project, a tough hunt—whatever stirs that old spark. Plan it. Chase it. Enjoy the journey. Share the experience with someone special to you.
Final Thoughts From an Old Woodsman
Son, I’ve lived long enough to know this:
A good year doesn’t happen by accident.
You steer it by what you put first.
Put Jesus first.
Take care of what He’s given you.
Spend time outdoors enjoying the world He made.
Love your people well, and live slow enough to notice the blessings He sends your way.
If you do all that, you won’t just have a good year—you’ll have a meaningful one.
Here’s to fresh trails, clean air, calm water, big bucks, strong faith, old friends, and a whole lot of time in God’s great outdoors.
