Well, ladies and gents, 2010 is coming to a close. Where did this year go? I feel like it flew by! With the last week of 2010 approaching, I thought I'd take a look back at the goals I set at the beginning of the year and see how I did!
1 - Make a real budget and stick to it. Well, I'm slacking there. My hubby and I took a class called Financial Peace University in the fall and learned a lot! As of January 1, we have a budget and a plan. If we stick to the plan, all of our debt (excluding our mortgage...) will be paid off in 3 years! Yiippeee!! Although, I didn't meet the specific goal stated, I feel I did meet a goal of being more financially aware.
2 - Read the Bible in it's entirety. Another one I slacked on... I did find some amazing resources for reading the Bible and I even started! But did not read the entire Bible. Guess I'll add that to my 2011 Goal list!
3 - Make at least one new recipe per month. I started off doing this well!! And then it tapered off... however, all is not lost! I have taken huge steps in my diet/nutrition! Mid year I decided to become a weekday vegetarian. What does that mean? It means that I allow myself to eat meat on the weekends only. I started the life-change as a way to reduce my carbon footprint and as a way to take a stand against how animals are treated in farms. I ended up cutting meat out (except for fish) almost entirely. Letmetellya, I don't miss it. Not. one. bite. I still eat meat occasionally, but only a couple times per month. I feel amazing! I recommend everyone become a weekday vegetarian.
4 - Try snowboarding. Nope. But the year isn't over yet! I have tentative plans to go on 12/26. Let's see if I chicken out!
5 - Be more patient by remembering that people are doing the best they can with what they have. I don't really know how to measure this one... I feel that, as a whole, I've really tried my best. I've had moments of doing really really well, and then moments of failing miserably. But, alas, I am a sinner and it's bound to happen that I'll fall short. I'll keep trying and remember that it's a process. I can't reverse the years of cynicism and negativity in a year's time.
6 - Eat more fruits and veggies. See #3.
7 - Take dance classes twice a week. Fail. But not entirely!! I found a new passion: yoga!!! Up until the last 3 weeks, I had been taking yoga 4-5 times per week. My body has never felt in better shape and I have never felt so much clarity. Go yoga!
8 - Audition for the dance scholarship in August. Nope, see above.
9 - Finish my office/creative space. Um, well, no... it's a work in progress...
10 - Stop complaining about things beyond my control. Instead of complaining about things within my control; change them/make those things better. Another one I don't know how to measure... we'll call this one an ongoing transformation.
Guess I'll start working on my 2011 goals! Happy Holidays everyone! Hope this holiday season brings you plenty of cheer and thanksgiving!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Bullying, etc.
I've been thinking a lot lately about what sort of world I am living in. Not the world that I live in in my head. The world I physically reside in. The last elections made me incredibly sad. And disappointed. I'm saddened and disappointed with human beings. Finger-pointing, name-calling, judgment, discrimination, intolerance, lying have become an unfortunate norm. Bullying is at an all-time high. Many would call it an epidemic. Children (CHILDREN) are committing suicide because of bullying. How did things get this far?
Look at the last elections. It's no longer acceptable to have a positive campaign ad. A politician must be hiding something if they aren't making negative campaign ads. Close elections are being called voter fraud. How can we expect children to treat each other with respect when adults, who are supposed to be role models, resort to finger-pointing and name-calling every opportunity they get? They bully each other, bully the public, in order to get something they want.
And then parents cry about bullying... I'm not blaming parents all together. I understand that some kids are mean. However, I am willing to say that 95% of bullying children come from a household where respecting one another is not the norm. Children aren't taught to respect each other. They aren't taught to love each other. It's a parents job to teach love and respect. It is NOT the school's job, it is NOT your church's job, it is NOT daycare's job to teach these things. Parents, it's YOUR job to teach YOUR children love and respect.
Read this article if you don't agree with me. I commend the writer of that blog for taking a stand against those parents.
It's time for a change people. And that change starts with you and me. I challenge you this week to stay away from name calling (yes, even while driving). Try loving each other. Respecting one another. Maybe we'll start a new epidemic.
Look at the last elections. It's no longer acceptable to have a positive campaign ad. A politician must be hiding something if they aren't making negative campaign ads. Close elections are being called voter fraud. How can we expect children to treat each other with respect when adults, who are supposed to be role models, resort to finger-pointing and name-calling every opportunity they get? They bully each other, bully the public, in order to get something they want.
And then parents cry about bullying... I'm not blaming parents all together. I understand that some kids are mean. However, I am willing to say that 95% of bullying children come from a household where respecting one another is not the norm. Children aren't taught to respect each other. They aren't taught to love each other. It's a parents job to teach love and respect. It is NOT the school's job, it is NOT your church's job, it is NOT daycare's job to teach these things. Parents, it's YOUR job to teach YOUR children love and respect.
Read this article if you don't agree with me. I commend the writer of that blog for taking a stand against those parents.
It's time for a change people. And that change starts with you and me. I challenge you this week to stay away from name calling (yes, even while driving). Try loving each other. Respecting one another. Maybe we'll start a new epidemic.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween
Time for a rant... it's been awhile, but I think it's time. So here we go. Don't judge me, Monkey.
I used to love Halloween. I loved picking a costume, going trick o' treating, eating too much sugar until my tummy hurt. Then, after high school I loved Halloween for being able to wear the skimpiest outfit I can find and say "why yes, I AM a sexy corpse. How did you guess?" Everything Halloween turned into an opportunity to wear practically nothing and get away with it. Sexy ninja? Why yes! Sexy lunch lady? Cha-ching! Britney Spears? Bingo!
And then something happened. Halloween finally got old. No, scratch that. Not Halloween. Skimpy costumes got old. Maybe I gained some self-respect. Maybe it was modesty. Or maybe I finally realized that the best costumes are NOT the skimpiest ones. In fact, the best costumes are usually the least skimpy. They're the most creative. The ones where I go "aw man! I wish I had thought of that!!"
My hubs and I were watching a band play at a bar on Friday night. Of course, all of the middle-aged ladies were there in their skimpy costumes acting like girls in their late teens and early 20's. Now, I know that age is just a number (or whatever), but at what point do you look in the mirror and say "wow, I am really trying way too hard to relive the glory days. Stretch marks and cellulite just do not look good as a naughty dentist." How do you let your friends go out of the house like that? "Oh yes Sally! I think you look great! But I have had a least 2 jello shots, so my judgment may be skewed."
C'mon ladies!! Have some self respect! Time to act your age. Show some creativity. Instead of going with sexy Freddy Krueger, maybe opt for something more creative. As a very wise person said (one of my hubby's super funny cousins) "Halloween is about being horrified, not whorified." Ladies, make this your mantra.
I used to love Halloween. I loved picking a costume, going trick o' treating, eating too much sugar until my tummy hurt. Then, after high school I loved Halloween for being able to wear the skimpiest outfit I can find and say "why yes, I AM a sexy corpse. How did you guess?" Everything Halloween turned into an opportunity to wear practically nothing and get away with it. Sexy ninja? Why yes! Sexy lunch lady? Cha-ching! Britney Spears? Bingo!
And then something happened. Halloween finally got old. No, scratch that. Not Halloween. Skimpy costumes got old. Maybe I gained some self-respect. Maybe it was modesty. Or maybe I finally realized that the best costumes are NOT the skimpiest ones. In fact, the best costumes are usually the least skimpy. They're the most creative. The ones where I go "aw man! I wish I had thought of that!!"
My hubs and I were watching a band play at a bar on Friday night. Of course, all of the middle-aged ladies were there in their skimpy costumes acting like girls in their late teens and early 20's. Now, I know that age is just a number (or whatever), but at what point do you look in the mirror and say "wow, I am really trying way too hard to relive the glory days. Stretch marks and cellulite just do not look good as a naughty dentist." How do you let your friends go out of the house like that? "Oh yes Sally! I think you look great! But I have had a least 2 jello shots, so my judgment may be skewed."
C'mon ladies!! Have some self respect! Time to act your age. Show some creativity. Instead of going with sexy Freddy Krueger, maybe opt for something more creative. As a very wise person said (one of my hubby's super funny cousins) "Halloween is about being horrified, not whorified." Ladies, make this your mantra.
2nd verse, same as the first
I'm going to rename my last 30 Days of Excellence... it will now be known as 30 Days of Failure. Holy cow I dropped the ball on that one! I'll try it again this month and hopefully get better results. Strangely enough, at church on Saturday, the pastor challenged everyone to read the Bible this month. We're reading the book of James. So, I think I'll start there! Hopefully this month will be much more successful!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
I'm a slacker...
Well I'm slightly behind on my goal for this month... I just started reading the Bible on Monday. Better late than never, eh? I'll just need to extend into next month, no biggie! (I knew you were worried. Right?)
To be quite honest, last week was a mess. It was a cluster of a mess, actually. I scrambled and scrambled to get some crafts put together for a craft show last week. And ended up with less than stellar results. I do, however, have some amazingly cute candle holders made! (I'll post pics at a later date)
During the cluster that was last week, I decided that I was going to need a plan if I was going to pull off my goal. I've tried starting at the very beginning of the Bible before and didn't make it very far. I mean, let's face it, most of us know the story of creation, so it's not super interesting to read for the one millionth time. Luckily, the church I attend (Eaglebrook Church) has a ton of resources for those interested in reading the Bible! I'm sure you could also Google a plan, if you're interested.
I've opted for the 31 day plan found on Eaglebrook's website. This plan is an overview of salvation and faith and Jesus. I'm reading from a study Bible, so there's a ton of added information in the margins. I'm already learning a ton!! Maybe it's because I'm older, maybe it's because the Bible translation is so easy to read, but I am hooked. These stories are interesting and there is so much to learn from, even in the most basic of Biblical stories. I spend about 30 - 45 minutes diving into a chapter, reading all of the margin notes, just digesting it all. I also spent time reading about the authors of the books. I think it's important to know who wrote the book, what they believed, what they did for a living, etc. It really gives you insight on the writings.
For those of you embarking on this journey with me, I'm praying for you! I hope you find this time with God as interesting and healing and growing as I am!
To be quite honest, last week was a mess. It was a cluster of a mess, actually. I scrambled and scrambled to get some crafts put together for a craft show last week. And ended up with less than stellar results. I do, however, have some amazingly cute candle holders made! (I'll post pics at a later date)
During the cluster that was last week, I decided that I was going to need a plan if I was going to pull off my goal. I've tried starting at the very beginning of the Bible before and didn't make it very far. I mean, let's face it, most of us know the story of creation, so it's not super interesting to read for the one millionth time. Luckily, the church I attend (Eaglebrook Church) has a ton of resources for those interested in reading the Bible! I'm sure you could also Google a plan, if you're interested.
I've opted for the 31 day plan found on Eaglebrook's website. This plan is an overview of salvation and faith and Jesus. I'm reading from a study Bible, so there's a ton of added information in the margins. I'm already learning a ton!! Maybe it's because I'm older, maybe it's because the Bible translation is so easy to read, but I am hooked. These stories are interesting and there is so much to learn from, even in the most basic of Biblical stories. I spend about 30 - 45 minutes diving into a chapter, reading all of the margin notes, just digesting it all. I also spent time reading about the authors of the books. I think it's important to know who wrote the book, what they believed, what they did for a living, etc. It really gives you insight on the writings.
For those of you embarking on this journey with me, I'm praying for you! I hope you find this time with God as interesting and healing and growing as I am!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)