Here is my update on my goals:
Health:
This one needs a lot of work. I'm on the lookout for motivation. I am working on decreasing portion sizes. I want to start into a Zumba or yoga class, as these have been areas I have had success in the past following up on. It's just about finding the right opportunity (time, money, location that work with my work schedule and budget). I found one Zumba course that is in a close location but doesn't start until March, so I'm on the hunt to find something until then. Keep thinking about getting the gym key at the apartment complex, just have to get myself to go there, pay them and start my routine!
Fun/Connection:
This one is actually not going too bad :) Just have to keep the momentum going. Had a nice family dinner on Monday with mom and sister. Last night hubby and I played cards, which we haven't really done before together. It was actually quite fun. I look forward to more nights like that. I enjoy a good game night!
Creativity:
So this is going fairly good for the time being. I actually did pull out my crochet hook and some yarn the other day and started on a blanket. The yarn isn't the softest, but it's a pretty color. I forgot how much fun it was to crochet. Again, just have to keep it going. It's a great activity to do while hubby watches football- I can sit with him, not feel too bored and do something semi-productive! I'm hoping to finish the blanket before or by the time we have a baby... (no, no news, just something to keep me motivated). Though, I may have to find some softer yarn...
I've also found myself doodling more again while at work. I hadn't done this for a while, but recently while on the phone I noticed I started doing it, and some neat stuff was emerging. Time to pick up the Zentangles again soon too, maybe.
Spirituality:
I'm continuing to listen to the station to and from work that boosts my spiritual growth. It's actually quite interesting. I'm realizing the difference it can make in how I feel too. I rediscovered one of my favorites Matt Maher. Currently enjoy listening to his song on repeat: http://www.vevo.com/watch/matt-maher/Deliverer/USV3M1500047
It put me in a better mood tonight on my drive home. Also trying to get back into "finding God in all things", especially in the work I'm doing. Also, having a lot of nostalgic memories of JVC year tonight, and thinking of my good friend whom I have only had limited written correspondence with over the past few years as she has been in the convent. It's amazing how I still can feel so connected to someone who I have not spoken to in a couple years. God places some people in our paths, and no matter how far we journey from them, it seems they are close to our hearts. Spiritual friendship, it seems can be just as powerful as face to face.
Remember, be gentle with yourself. Let go and be open to change.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016!
Well, another year has gone by - another year full of change, growth, struggle, faith, family and fun. I am so very grateful for the experiences I had over the last year that continue to shape me. I have fond memories of starting 2015 in India with my husband and family there. We traveled to the West Coast and had whirlwind adventures of a lifetime for our first wedding anniversary. I spent time as a stay at home house wife/job searcher...I started honing my South Indian culinary skills. I volunteered at a lovely neighborhood center where I learned so much more about working with toddlers. I worked a per diem job that I started the year with in 2015 and ended the year with a new full time job in a new/old state. I spent the year adjusting (sort of) to New York, and then moved back closer to "home", closer to my family. We rang in the New Year 2016 just the two of us, cozy and quiet in our new-ish apartment. It was perfect, in a way, for us two homebodies to enjoy bringing in a new year. Yet, it was also sort of ironic; As a couple our goal for the year is to have more fun and connect better with friends and family. We spend much of our free time alone together at home, but we decided now that we have a nice roomy apartment that is perfect for entertaining, that it was time to put it to use. We did have our first gathering for family before Thanksgiving, and made a lovely brunch (a learning experience in itself). At the start of the new year 2016 we bought a few new games in order to go with the theme of fun. I'm hoping it means we can have a few game nights. We made a home cooked Indian meal of chappati, beef olathiyathu and vegetable thoran for friends this past Saturday, the first non-family guests we've had here so far. I'm hoping it's just the start!
As usual, as the new year starts, my head is full of the goals I have yet to accomplish and the things I'd like to do better. One year I read about "buckets" for goals. My main "buckets" are: Health, Fun, Connection, Creativity, Spirituality.
Health:
As usual, one of my priorities is Health and Fitness. I need to get myself in better shape. My job is much less active than previous positions, and I spend more time sitting at my desk. My goal is to move more, both at work and home. I want to be able to be stronger, more flexible, and at a healthy weight. Not just for myself, but as we (eventually)begin growing our family I need to be in healthy shape.
This means finding an exercise routine that works, sticking to it, and enjoying it.
This means eating healthier, watching my portions and decreasing intake of sugar and unhealthy fats, processed foods.
This means a lifestyle change - not just "diet and exercise", but changing my relationship to these ideas.
Fun/Connection:
As I mentioned, the other goal that I had was to have fun and connect with others. I want to enjoy the life I have been given to the fullest. Working in the position I am in often reminds me on a daily basis how blessed I truly am, and how quickly life can change. I have been given so much and worked hard to get where I am. There are so many people in my life who have helped get me here, and I need to reach out to them. In thinking about ways to meet this goal, I think maybe a good step is to have some sort of fun "event" planned each week, and initiate at least 1 gathering or get together per month.
I'd like to connect better with my husband too - more face to face time talking about life goals and doing fun and adventurous things together.
Creativity:
This is so essential, and I always forget just how much better I feel when I get to use the gift of creativity. I don't know what the step will be yet for this goal bucket, except to say to use my creativity in some way on a daily basis, whether it is coloring in one of my adult coloring books, creating a meal or baking a new recipe, or pulling out my crochet needles and starting some projects. Only time will tell on this one. I'm gonna leave it open for now :)
Spirituality:
I think part of this ties in with creativity. The other part has to do with faith and prayer. Another thing that makes me feel more balanced is having a strong connection with God. I feel this through prayer, through art, through music, in the meaningful work that I do on a daily basis. It helps me get through the struggles. It gives me the strength to do my work. It humbles me. It lifts me up. I recently discovered a Christian contemporary station on the radio and have been listening to it on my drives to work the past week or so (and coming home sometimes too). I can notice a difference in how I feel when I play the radio in general, but the songs really speak to the heart and bring my mind back to a more peaceful place. It is a gentle nudge to go back to the God who created me and give thanks for the blessings, and the struggles that help me to grow.
On that note, my last goal (for this entry :P) is to blog more consistently. This year I would like to keep track of progress toward these goals (some overlap of my 30 things in 30th year). I'm hoping that giving this structure, I can make at least a small comment on my progress on at least a monthly, if not weekly, basis.
Here's to all the good things to come in 2016!
As usual, as the new year starts, my head is full of the goals I have yet to accomplish and the things I'd like to do better. One year I read about "buckets" for goals. My main "buckets" are: Health, Fun, Connection, Creativity, Spirituality.
Health:
As usual, one of my priorities is Health and Fitness. I need to get myself in better shape. My job is much less active than previous positions, and I spend more time sitting at my desk. My goal is to move more, both at work and home. I want to be able to be stronger, more flexible, and at a healthy weight. Not just for myself, but as we (eventually)begin growing our family I need to be in healthy shape.
This means finding an exercise routine that works, sticking to it, and enjoying it.
This means eating healthier, watching my portions and decreasing intake of sugar and unhealthy fats, processed foods.
This means a lifestyle change - not just "diet and exercise", but changing my relationship to these ideas.
Fun/Connection:
As I mentioned, the other goal that I had was to have fun and connect with others. I want to enjoy the life I have been given to the fullest. Working in the position I am in often reminds me on a daily basis how blessed I truly am, and how quickly life can change. I have been given so much and worked hard to get where I am. There are so many people in my life who have helped get me here, and I need to reach out to them. In thinking about ways to meet this goal, I think maybe a good step is to have some sort of fun "event" planned each week, and initiate at least 1 gathering or get together per month.
I'd like to connect better with my husband too - more face to face time talking about life goals and doing fun and adventurous things together.
Creativity:
This is so essential, and I always forget just how much better I feel when I get to use the gift of creativity. I don't know what the step will be yet for this goal bucket, except to say to use my creativity in some way on a daily basis, whether it is coloring in one of my adult coloring books, creating a meal or baking a new recipe, or pulling out my crochet needles and starting some projects. Only time will tell on this one. I'm gonna leave it open for now :)
Spirituality:
I think part of this ties in with creativity. The other part has to do with faith and prayer. Another thing that makes me feel more balanced is having a strong connection with God. I feel this through prayer, through art, through music, in the meaningful work that I do on a daily basis. It helps me get through the struggles. It gives me the strength to do my work. It humbles me. It lifts me up. I recently discovered a Christian contemporary station on the radio and have been listening to it on my drives to work the past week or so (and coming home sometimes too). I can notice a difference in how I feel when I play the radio in general, but the songs really speak to the heart and bring my mind back to a more peaceful place. It is a gentle nudge to go back to the God who created me and give thanks for the blessings, and the struggles that help me to grow.
On that note, my last goal (for this entry :P) is to blog more consistently. This year I would like to keep track of progress toward these goals (some overlap of my 30 things in 30th year). I'm hoping that giving this structure, I can make at least a small comment on my progress on at least a monthly, if not weekly, basis.
Here's to all the good things to come in 2016!
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