Words of Wisdom: Secret of Change

How is everyone doing on their resolutions? Have you started slacking off yet?

Since I didn't set specific resolutions this year, like I have in the past, I've avoided the feeling of failure when things inevitably slip up. It's been kind of nice. I do miss having some sort of set goal though. Change doesn't come without knowing what you have to do in order to move forward, or more specifically, knowing where to focus your energy. 

I'm a big believer in taking the small steps. Big steps are difficult and leave too much room for failure. If you set small short term goals, you seem more likely to accomplish them. I know that when I make daily to-do lists I end up getting way more done in the day then when I don't plan anything. That's just a strategy that works best for me. Knowing I can finish my small term goals helps me gain confidence in my ability to finish my larger, more complicated goals.

Everyone is different. I set big, long term goals for myself all the time. I am a dreamer; I always have been and always will me, but I haven't reached a lot of those goals yet. It's much easier for me to look at my lack of current success in my long term goals as failures rather than seeing them as on going accomplishments that can be reached in the future. Keeping yourself grounded in the present is important, but looking ahead can occasionally be beneficial.

By remembering to stay hopeful, we gain much more from life. I think that's why I choose to focus my energy on feelings rather than things. If something makes you feel good, pursue that. Set goals that expand the good will inspire change all on its own.

-S

2014

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you guys had a wonderful New Years Eve! I had a fun time hanging out with friends, watching the cherry ball drop downtown TC, consuming one too many glasses of alcohol, and welcoming the new year with an open heart and a head full of hope.

It was freezing (in the negative digits with the wind chill) downtown so my thoughts were far from cute dresses and heels for the night. Instead I managed to rock a pair of jeans, booties, and some essential winter accessories. I'd much rather be warm than cute (although I think I managed to do both).

So true!

I didn't officially make my own list of resolutions this year, but that doesn't mean I don't plan on making my life a little better in certain areas. I found this list on Polish My Crown of 25 New Year's Resolutions Every Person Should Actually Make for 2014. Since they all seemed pretty appropriate, I thought I'd just adopt that list for myself this year.

I also liked this graphic I found on Pinterest.

Here's to 2014 being a year of a positive state of mind and personal growth!

What are your New Years resolutions? What did you do for New Years Eve?

-S

August's Resolutions

Get a job - I was trying, but then I got so discouraged I sort of gave up during most of July. I was so down about not having a job that I stopped trying all together. The pity party is now over and it's time to get back to business. My number one priority for this month is to get a job... any job.

Get back into yoga - I'm going to try to take at least one class a week for the month of August. I have classes to use up and it's about time I get back into the studio. Plus I just miss actually doing yoga with other people. I practice at home from time to time, but being in a class and having someone lead you can be a lot more relaxing... or challenging depending on the class.

Make one piece of art per week - I do not make enough art. Whether it's a drawing or a painting or some sort of collage, I will attempt to make one piece per week. The only way to get better at something is to practice.

Finish all three books I am currently reading - I started three different books near the end of July and haven't gotten very far into any one of them yet. The Ocean at The End of The Lane and The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy are both shorter books and I expect it won't take me long to finish either stories. My third book is Angels and Demons, which is 569 pages long and will probably take me a good while to finish.

Meditate for 5 minutes every day - One of my goals a while back was to meditate a little bit each day. I even have an alert set for it on my computer that I am constantly ignoring. I thought 5 minutes would be a good time to begin.

Volunteer somewhere - I never volunteer to do anything and I'd really love to change that. I might try to volunteer one of the days at The State Theater since I absolutely love it there.

Hopefully I can manage all of these resolutions this month. Looking at the list now, there seems to be a lot to do. Just giving myself a reason to get off the couch and keep moving forward.

Do you make monthly resolutions? What would you like to change this month?

-S