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Fresh starts!


So, sorry last week was all doom and gloom, I was hitting a low moment and a low point reflecting back on all the things that "coulda, woulda" which is not my area of expertise. Everyone knows I'm a "goals" girl. You ask me how I'm doing, and I will tell you my plans for the next 6 months. I spent last post looking back instead of forward. So, with that in mind, it's time to revisit New Years...

Every year, I make as many resolutions as I'm turning that year. Last year I was a little busy with cancer, so I didn't do any of it, and I think that that may be why I was so glum last post, I didn't set goals. Everyone has their "thing", for me it's really satisfying to put something on a list and cross it off because I accomplished it. It's DONE! People in my work environment who recognize my strengths tend to call me the "closer" I finish the job! I love it!

So this year, 28 goals will be set. The reason I make that many is: one, I like the idea of setting goals; two, I have a passionate love affair with self-help and self-improvement and three, I know that I will fail at at least HALF of them. We always set this big impossible goal, and by mid-February we make no headway so then we give up. If I set some big and little ones, and make 14 of my 28, I'm doing awesome! I accept my "failure" on half of them knowing going in that I'm flawed and that my plans are subject to life, chance, and GOD's intentions. That, and I reserve right to change to the backup plan if something goes array! 

Some are big: "lose X pounds," and others are like "call grandma more, or donate something this year, or volunteer my time for no reason, or help someone without being asked. Or, as I like to call the "other" category "a lot of things we do all the time and never are conscious about how if we voice it as a goal, it becomes a habit." Those things build momentum for the larger goals.

I've made many references in my posts to a "bucket list" but I haven't made one. I'm hesitant because I feel like if I write it down, I've committed, and if I don't get the opportunity to finish it, I'll feel like I failed myself, being the "closer" and all. A bucket list and a to-do list for the year are very different things for me. However, I would love some suggestions for bucket-list bullets. 'Tis the season of giving, and a phrase I've heard a couple years ago that I like is "don't give gifts, give experiences." My dad is giving me Hawaii, which is gonna be AWESOME. So, if ya'll are still in the sharing mood after stretching your wallets, I invite you to find a way to suggest an experience you wouldn't want to miss. You can reach me here, facebook, email, text, etc... any venue you want to share is great.

A bucket list is very personal, and ultimately I'll make the decision about the things I won't want to live without doing, BUT, I am just one person, I always invite the opportunity to expand my perspective. Some of ya'll will suggest or share experiences about things I've never heard-of, let alone considered! =)

To all the opportunities, ideas, and stories to come... one less thing to worry about!

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