New Beginnings Lead to Fantastic Endings...

It's a New Year!  Okay, I may be 20 days behind, but it is still January and 2014 is still settling in for me.  Well, as the New Year has begun, I have taken the past 20 days to do some self-reflecting, and look inward.  It has been an interesting process as I have seen things I love about myself, and hate about myself.  Yes, I am good person and live a pretty great, comfortable life.  However, I want to be more, and better than that.  I want to live life to the fullest, and  I want to make a difference here on earth.  I want to be more than what I am now.  I want to grown and improve each day so that I can influence and touch peoples lives; I am tired of going through the motions.  The thing is, I have been thinking these thoughts for some time now, years even.  What I have lacked in, is taking the steps to make these changes and self-improvements.  I don't think I have known how to take the steps to change, and honestly I am still figuring it out.  I also lacked BELIEVING in myself! Believing that I was capable of being more than what I am; I was settling.  I am tired of settling and thinking "this is the best it gets, or the best I can become".   

For those of you who know and understand the Myers Brigg's Test, I am an INFP.  I love being an INFP, but I also hate it.  Long story short, I am a dreamer.  I have plenty of amazing ideas, dreams, and goals that I want to accomplish.  They are great ambitions.  What I lack in, is actually following through and completing them.  Finishing what I start.  I have all these dreams but no idea how to make the dreams, or fantasizes, become a reality.  Well, I am tired of living that way. 

I always start each year saying to myself "I want it to be the best year ever!"  It always starts out great, then I quickly quit doing things to make it the greatest year ever.  I fall back into my same old patterns.  Well, this year I have taken the steps to write down all my goals, ideas, resolutions, and things I want to do this year, to make it a year to remember.  I created this blog to record what I do this year to keep me accountable for the things I said I would do.  I am making a PDA..a Public Display of Accountability.  Even if nobody reads this blog, that is fine.  The fact that I know I have this blog, will make me feel like I need to accomplish what I said I would.  As I complete the things on the list, I will document it for all to see, or just for myself to see and know I finished what I said I would.  So here is my list of 52 things I would like WILL do this year.  Not all of these are necessarily resolutions.  A lot of these things I have already done, but I eventually stopped doing them and I do not know why because it brought me so much joy.  So here is my list of 52 goals, resolutions, challenges, and random things I want to do this year.   There is a trend of daily, weekly, monthly, and year accomplishments.  Hopefully, it will inspire you to make your own list?! :)

1.  Practice waking up early

2. Do a daily devo from Jesus Calling

3. Send a thoughtful/encouraging text or email daily

4.  Daily journal 3 things to be grateful for, and a summary of the day

5.  Stretch every morning and/or night before bed

6.  Attend church frequently

7. Weekly, reach out to someone I haven’t for in awhile and see how they are doing

8.  Memorize a bible verse each week

9.  Follow a budget and build my savings account

10.  Do a different 30 day fitness challenge each month

11.  Do a craft each month

12. Read a book each month

13. Bake something every month

14. Monthly wellness challenge: give up something that I love each month

15. Play a board game each month

16. Try cross-fit for a month

17.  Do one month brazil butt lift challenge (I have the videos and never completed it)

18. Practice yoga--I have started getting back into it this year and I am currently taking classes at the Lululemon Stores and Yoga Factory in Westerville.  My cousin Jenna teaches Thursdays at 6:30 and 4:30 on Sundays.  Come check her out!

19.  Stop procrastinating

20. Create and keep up with a blog

21.  Open up and follow my heart

22. Be honest and express how I feel—no more bottling things in

23. Pursue a career in health & wellness

24. Cook more often

25. Develop a friendship with my mom.   It's not bad, but it could be better.

26. Drop to 125 lbs by June

OK, I am not one to focus on a number, however, after ending the year at the most                I have weighed, I thought I'd try to get down to the weight I should be, which is a    healthy one!

27. Complete the Cap City Half Marathon in May

28. Walk for my graduation ceremony in May

I graduated in December, but I would like to walk for the ceremony

29. Complete a Tough Mudder

30. Complete a Color Run

31.    Complete an Electric Run

32. Buy someone’s drink behind me in a drive-thru at Starbucks.

33. Kiss in the rain

34. Do the splits--this is where the daily stretching will come in handy

35. Make amends with someone

36. Go apple picking, then make apple crisp

37. Go to a drive-in theater

38. Go snow skiing—it's been forever and I'd like to try it again

39. Go to a trampoline gym

40. Watch a thunderstorm

41.  Take a walk in the rain

42. Carve a pumpkin for Halloween

43. Go on a picnic

44. Go to an amusement park and ride every ride front row

45. Play 20 questions

46. Plan a fun, memorable date

47. Learn how to braid my hair--yes, I am almost 25 and I don't know how to braid hair

48. Sell my books on amazon

49. Dress fancy for a date, just because :)

50. Get my first pair of cowgirl boots

51.  Watch the sunrise

52. Begin believing in myself

    Well, that is my list.  I am excited for this journey of self-transformation.  I will continue to post about my journey and when I accomplish something on my list, as well as anything else I feel worth sharing.  I hope you enjoy it!  Feel free to comment and encourage, I'd love to hear from you!  Here's to the Best Year Yet!  For YOU and ME! :)