A New Year = A New Beginning

I love the New Year. I see a new beginning and it gives me a feeling of hope. I always set lots and lots of fabulous goals...fabulous if I actually accomplished them. The first few weeks I feel great and accomplish a lot...and then something happens; I burn out, or one of my children gets sick, or I stay up too late one night, or, or, or. My goals then just seem to tumble and fall apart and I become too overwhelmed to even try. I lose sight of it all and struggle the rest of the year to regain the right perspective. The last couple of months I've been evaluating 2008 and reflecting on what I want to accomplish in 2009 and how to do it. As a missionary I was constantly setting goals together with my companion. I learned different things from each companion. I was able to benefit from each of their strengths. It really helped to have a cheerleader working with me. I would love for my husband to be that cheerleader or companion to plan, evaluate, encourage, pray, and work with throughout the year. This is something that we are striving for in our marriage, but have not perfected. And let’s face it…he is a Man and I am a Woman. We are different. So I am going to keep working toward that “celestial relationship”, and in the mean time I thought about the many others who support and encourage me. I have 4 sisters who are always cheering me on. I also have amazing friends who have helped me through their examples and encouraging words. This brings me to today… We are all sisters and we need each other! Learning to blog is one of my goals this year and here I am because a friend encouraged me. I want this blog to be a place to share what we have learned about ourselves and how to improve and change for the better. I want this to be a place to cheer each other on. I want us to benefit from each others strengths. This is a place to put your goals in writing, make a commitment, evaluate, and receive help in succeeding. 2009 is our year! So let's DO IT! A New year and A New Beginning….Are you with me?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A Snapshot of My Goals for 2009

Well I am really excited about this new year, as I have never before been. I am not sure why. I feel that 2009 is going to be a really good year filled with positive changes and stronger relationships. Or at least those are the main subject of my goals.

In the Positive Changes category, I have a major goal of getting my body back. After having three babies and gaining over 60 pounds I am so done with that. It is time to get back to where I am comfortable and happy with how I look and feel. Another aspect of this is to help my children know and understand a love of activity and living healthily.

To reach these goals I have been going to the gym more regularly. My goal is to go 5 times a week and this week I have successfully done that so far. I have been pushing myself and really enjoying how I have been feeling.

I have decided on a course of action for my food intake and instead of my usual route of low carb, I am eating more balanced diet with an emphasis on low calorie and low fat. I am enjoying this diet much more than I did previously with low carb but I am not seeing results as quickly. However, I do believe that my results will be more permanent and will teach me a more correct way to eat.

Also in the Positive Changes category are goals like do the dishes and vacuum daily. I would like to be more on top of my housework. I don't think that I am a slob but I don't run as tight a ship as I would like. I am also trying to be more on top of our finances. Ben has been self employed for the past year and finances aren't as comfortable as they have been in the past. I have decided that since I am not working and am the one who pays our bills, I need to be able to account for every single penny. I need to pull things in and make what we have work for us. I haven't exactly figured out how to do this yet, but it will happen!

Another PC goal is to become a better photographer. I really enjoy that art form and learned so much just in the last 12 months. I want to strengthen my artist eye and expression through photography. I would also like to get a Nikon D90.

In the Building Relationships category, I have decided that I need to strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus. I am trying to read 12 "Church" related books a year. I am currently in the process of reading Talmage's Jesus the Christ. I have a couple friends who are reading it with me. Only 10 chapters into it and I already feel like I have a better understanding of Christ and stronger testimony. I can't wait to see how I will feel after the year is over and I've knocked off 12 books.

I am also going to try to strengthen relationships with friends and make a new friend. I don't feel like I have many close friends and I know that is my fault. I am a bit apathetic when it comes to friendships and I don't put a lot of effort into them. This is going to change! I would really like to make a friend here in Utah. I spend pretty much every waking minute with my children and so this is going to be a challenge, but a challenge I can handle!

Another Building Relationship goal is in strengthening my relationship with Ben and with my children. I am trying to be positive and sweet and not yell, complain or act angry. I am not perfect on this by a long shot but I really feel that this goal has to be met. As the mother, my attitude and demeanor is so important in maintaining a home where the Spirit can reside. A home that nurtures and encourages love and learning is my goal.

I am really glad to have the opportunity to write these down. I have been thinking about them and mentally making notes but until now I had not put them in black and white. It's exciting and really fun. Let's get crackin'!!!
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