New Years Resolutions?

Ok, so I know I haven't written in a long time, and one of my goals is to pay more attention to my blog.

As I was preparing for the New Year, I reflected on 2009, and also on the things I want to change in 2010. Thinking about all of the things I want to change has left me overwhelmed more than refreshed. I have always refrained from making large resolutions because I have always felt that one is set up to fail if they wait until a specific date to make changes. I one year had the goal to wear more eyeliner, the next year wearing blush, and then the next was to do something different that would take me out of my comfort zone each month. That one I have done for the last several years, which has been beneficial in getting me to do many things I wouldn't normally do. I am hoping if I write down some of these goals, I can reflect on them one year from now and actually have achieved some of them.

1. Continue doing something different once a month. This continues to stretch me, and allows me to step outside of my comfort zone. I have ice skated, wall climbing, mountain hiking, swimming, skiing, etc, and hope that continues.

2. I would like to lose the 10 or so lbs I found in 2009. It has been 2 days into the new year, and I am still eating candy, so this one will be a struggle.

3. I would like to run a PR in the 1/2 and full marathon this year. This all depends on me doing the training, and getting back to the weight lifting and all of my PT exercises. I have until August to get into fighting shape. No injuries this year please!

4. I am doing a Total Money Makeover thing, and am trying to spend less frivolously. We'll see how this one pans out because I love my lipstick, shoes and purses!

5. I want to be more tolerant of others. This one occurs because I felt very convicted over the Christmas season. I was in the mall shopping and was going to turn left off an escalator, and instead turned right. I ran into a patient of mine that drives me crazy. She of course wished me a Merry Christmas, told me she was graduating with her associates degree, moved, and now her daughter was no longer with a "bad crowd", and was actually going to church and volunteering now. She then said "Thank you so much for being there for us and helping us through such a hard time, I really appreciate everything you did". This was amazing for 2 reasons. First, I felt good that I could help someone just by listening, and secondly, I felt convicted because she annoyed me so much, and she was frustrating me because she needed my help. I want to be more tolerant of other patients, and see the motives behind their actions and behaviors, and not let it get to me so much.

6. I would like to do a triathalon. I started swim class in November, and that will continue. We will see what happens, it is a lot different swimming in a pool versus a lake I am sure.

7. I want to run while in Paris this year. I am going to run the city streets if I have to get up at 5am and do it way before everyone else is up!

8. I want to brush up on French for the trip to France obviously.

9. I want to finish Volume I of the Mystery of History. I have been working on this textbook for over 6 months and am still at 1100 BC. I started this in my recent feelings that there is so much that I don't know. There are at least 2 more volumes.

10. I have 4 more books of the Bible before I have read it in its entirety. I want to of course finish those, and then continue my growth in reading the Bible.

11. I want to clean out my closet, and get rid of old things, etc. I already went through my sock and underwear drawers, and hopefully can keep this up.

After writing this list, the feelings of being overwhelmed are still there and in fact have worsened. We'll see what a difference a year makes!