Renewals & Wrapping up January

Many years ago, I adopted the tradition of picking a theme for the year.  This year I have set my theme as, My Year of Grace. I did so with the intent of working on a variety of things; in order to become a better person in a multitude of ways. I did something different this year though, I gave each month a subtitle or a focus if you will.

I named January, my month of renewal. I set my three January goals within that realm. This month is quickly wrapping up, but I am happy to say that I have successfully exceeded my blogging goal. I have started saving for a violin. And, I have donated or recycled over 93 items in the past month.

The most daunting goal this month, as expected, was to donate, recycle or toss at least three things for every day of the month.  Not because I didn’t have them to give, but because it was so time consuming.

I thought I was pretty crafty with the wording of that last goal since it would allow me to do it in big chunks rather than having to do a little bit every day, and I took full advantage.  I was able to meet my goal in 3-4 combined raids of my own closet and the kitchen cupboards.

Here is what I learned:

• Blogging is hard…until you get going.
• I can save money but I truly would rather spend it.
• I have always enjoyed donating and recycling but I also hold on to some things way longer than I should.
• I am glad that I built flexibility into my goals.

I practically enjoyed spending hours going through my closet and cupboards.  I found it to be true that once you get rid of the first couple of items, it becomes easier to pile on.  Mostly, I got rid of clothes that had faded or that I certainly liked…but only on the hanger.  I don’t tend to keep clothes that don’t fit me; mainly because I want the room in my closet for new clothes.

When I attacked the kitchen it was more out of frustration of having to continually duck the falling water bottles when I opened the cupboard or climb in up to my waist to find the right Tupperware lid. This was actually a relatively easy task. Again, I just needed to make the time for it.  I did not cry over getting rid of plastic anything but instead I rejoiced in the organization of my newly found cupboard space.

I am pretty sure that my husband loved my January goal.  He happily transferred my piles into donation bags, walked them to the end of the driveway and arranged for a charity foundation to pick them up pronto.

Now when I am getting dressed and I put on a shirt that is even a fraction too short, too tight/loose, or faded; it goes in the donation pile not back on the hanger.  My world feels a little more spacious and I am off to a great year.

Running with Benefits...

It’s interesting to look back at the blog that I wrote when I first started running. Back then, I had a preference to run alone. Now, I couldn’t live without the girls I run with.

I read once that running will make you stronger in more ways than you think. I didn’t give the statement much thought. I started running to fulfill something that I had on my life list; to run a 5k. I remember looking at the schedule and doubting that I would be able to run 30 minutes straight by the end. I thought I would be the one that the program didn’t work for. I am an optimist by nature but I could barely run a block when I started.

I plunged in anyway. I followed the schedule. I felt great. I felt bad. I was happy. I was scared. I was sad. I made friends. I ran a 5k. I was ecstatic. I became so much stronger in so many ways. Running taught me that with perseverance anything is possible. 

Back then I thought I preferred to run indoors. Who wouldn’t want a controlled temperature while exercising? I would hit the track for my work out if I could. But as time went on, I opened my eyes to the beauty of running outside. The sun would fill me with vitamin D and lift me up. The rain would cool me off and the snow would fall gently; making feel like I was in a snow globe. I learned to dress appropriately. I learned to leave one headphone out so that I could hear the wonderful sounds. Running taught me that with a little effort, adaptation and magic happen.

I used to choose my routes carefully; nice and flat. But one of the places I love to run has a fairly hilly section. In order to get the good, I had to run through the bad. I even named the worst of the hills, the f-you hill.  My goal was always to make it all the way up the hill no matter what. Then I could say, f-you and even take a break if I needed to. But as time went on, I learned to love the hills; even look forward to them and to run them all without stopping. Without a doubt, they made me feel like Wonder Woman. Running the hills taught me that I will become stronger by taking adversity head on.

The women I run with have seen me at my absolute worst. They know when I have had a bad day at work or at home and they know without a doubt when I have had a bad day on the asphalt. It’s hard not to form an unbreakable bond when you share blood, sweat and tears. These are the women that have also seen me at my best. They know when something great has happened in my life, they know when I am excited or I have something to celebrate. They are quick to join me in adventure and play. They are my cheerleaders, my best friends.

These are the women who will come to my rescue no matter what the problem is or the time of day. They will lift me up. They will run with me, eat chocolate with me and drink wine with me. I am so grateful for them. Running has taught me that there are no friends quite like the ones I run with.

The Mini-Happiness Project Begins

I belong to a group called the Aspire Success Club.  The Aspire Success Club is a group of women who set personal goals together and then encourage and support each other in achieving those goals.  We learn together by reading specific books, talking things over and sharing our ideas & personal experiences. I have made many friendships all over the U.S. because of the Aspire Group; this group definitely helps me to be a better person.

This year with the support of Aspire, I am conducting a Mini-Happiness Project.  This means that instead of setting one bold goal for 2013, I will be setting 1-3 mini goals for each month of the year.  I devised this plan by talking my feelings over with the Founder of  Aspire, Dr. Christi Hegstad, who (lucky for me) also happens to be my friend and mentor. Together we agreed that this would be a good project for me because, although I feel that my life is not in need of any major changes this year; I still want to improve. 

For the month of the January, my goals are:

1. To begin blogging on a regular basis  (at least bi-weekly)
2. To donate, recycle or toss at least three things for every day of the month
3. To begin saving for a violin

With the writing of this, I am well on my way with the first goal.  I must admit that I originally had the intention of blogging once per week minimum but realistically, I don't think I will choose to fit it in.  As you can see, I started this blog two years ago and last year I only wrote one blog. 

As for the second goal, I have some photos to share.

On the first day, I was looking for something in the dreaded Tupperware cupboard (which always seems to be in disarray).  I had one of those moments where I just started to pull EVERYTHING out of the cupboard in order to organize it by size and shape.  At the very back of the shelf I found (and recycled) Fig 1. 

After a job well done, I put my feet up. Yes, that is a hole in my sock second toe on the left in Fig 2.  I threw this pair of socks in the garbage.

And lastly, after letting several days rack up, I made the pile in Fig 3.



Fig 1



Fig 2

Fig 3




 


My third goal is to have saved enough money to purchase a violin in July. This is probably going to be the easiest of these three goals.

Thanks for sharing in my journey. I am glad you are here!