At the end of 2012 I came to the conclusion that I am only capable of keeping one goal a year, so last year I decided to only make one goal: to drink 72 oz. of water a day. I actually ended up drinking 96 oz. of water each day for a whopping total of about 35,000 oz. of water. That’s quite a bit of water! I really like that I kept my goal!
So, even though I am obviously only capable of keeping one resolution a year, in a moment of determination and confidence in myself I have decided to make a few more. I’m grateful for a God that gives us so many chances to become like Him.
1. Be kind. Have a kind and soft tone with my children especially. Specifically, I am determined to not yell at my children at all this year. Honestly, this will be one of the harder goals for me to keep, but if I do nothing else this year I will be thrilled if I keep this goal. Any advice?
2. Learn to take photos in manual mode and learn Photoshop.
3. Have a green drink or large salad every day.
4. Get in shape. Exercise 30 minutes 3-4 days a week. I actually want to do this 5 days a week and for longer than 30 minutes each day, but I have a feeling this won’t be easy for me, so I want to make it attainable. I hope what happens with this one is that when I start exercising I will feel a desire to go longer than 30 minutes and will actually end up doing about 45 minutes.
5. Get in the best spiritual shape of my life. Be consistent about reading the scriptures, Ensign articles, and praying, doing Family Home Evening with our family, and having a spiritual routine in the morning with my children (which will include scripture reading, prayer, primary song, and maybe a tiny bit of memorization for Elna)—has anyone done this with their young children with success? What do you do?
6. Unplug more often. Specifically, I want to only have designated times I am on the computer or my phone and stop using my computer during nap times and read books instead. As part of this goal, I plan on increasing the number of books I read this year by a lot. Already 6 days into the year I have figured out some things that have helped me with this goal—I have taken Facebook, Pinterest, and Sudoku off my phone and don’t have my laptop open during the day. I have loved it! I love not being on my computer or phone during nap time and because of this I have already finished two books!
Last year was so joyous with the birth of sweet little Harriet, but it also wore me down a bit. During Christmas time I put a phrase from “Oh, Holy Night” on the chalkboard in my kitchen:.
I looked at it often and it resonated with me and filled with me hope and joy and gratitude for my Savior. Over the last few days I took down Christmas, but decided to leave this up for a while—maybe the entire year—as a reminder of the hope that our Savior brings to my very weary soul.
All very worthy goals! Many are exactly the same as mine. Perhaps we should have a check in with each other and encourage each other goal too. Here's how I look at it:even if I don't achieve perfection in my goals, any little bit that is better and more consistent than before becomes a win. Without the goal, I wouldn't even try.
ReplyDeleteOf course you got worn down a bit. Life is full of energy demands when you have a baby and another little active girl. You do a great job! That water probably helped get you through!! :) And especially the other good things you do. I love you.
ReplyDeleteI like this post. I think you are awesome.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted on your progress ! You will do great!!
ReplyDeleteI never write down goals, but Daniel has for years (he tracks them all in a spreadsheet, and I think it's so admirable, and for sure an efficient way to change and grow and learn), so just yesterday I decided to write down some goals for this year, and they are pretty much the same as yours! Seriously! All of them! Except I didn't write them down so eloquently, and I hadn't thought of the learning how to do manual photos one, and now I'm going to add it, because I've always wanted to learn. So now I wish we could live next to each other and drink water and green smoothies together and try to not yell at our children while we take pictures of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to say that I love your chalkboard quote. And I also really love your girls matching dresses (from a different post) and how you paired them with red. So fashionable. And how fun that you'll be able to have them wear them year round.
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