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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Goals & Things for 2015.


New Year's Resolutions. I guess it's about time I share them here. This is honestly the first year I haven't consciously made any. But they're on my mind; I just need to write them down.

1- Make every effort to continue to make "BELIEVE" my word for 2015. I mean, I can't just say it's my word and then forget about it. I'm currently reading Luke. I'm really giving my all to Him in praise & worship. I'm praying more. I want to continue these things, a lot more so than in 2014. In 2014, i was very sad much of the time, angry some of the time, and desperately trying not to get bitter. This year I want to really make a conscious effort to trust Him more, seek Him more, and believe Him more.

2- Incorporate and stick to an 80/20 lifestyle. I am not sure how to make this happen, except by really leaning on Jesus and asking for his help! I don't think I will ever be someone who cuts sugar out ENTIRELY all of the time. I want to learn to have self-control. I want to be able to have junk food on occasion but not everyday, or even every week. I basically want to live an 80/20 lifestyle, eating healthy most of the time, but allowing treats occasionally. (I'm trying to get it in my head, though, that a "treat" is not an everyday thing! Ha!) For me, the healthy 80% part would mean: No sugar. No grains. Little dairy. Nothing processed. There you go. That's the reader's digest version; I'll try to write a whole blog post on the subject soon. :)

3- Get some EXERCISE. I don't even know what to say here, because exercise has been out of my life for way too long. But i NEED it to become part of my regular routine this year. NEED. I would be happy if i just started walking 3 days a week and built up from there.

4- PHOTOGRAPHY. Number one, I want to improve as a photographer. That means taking some classes and really studying my camera, my flash, lenses, and any new equipment I bring in this year. I think for the most part I have flown by the seat of my pants. Haha. Don't get me wrong... I've had mentors and have definitely used their advice and that has helped me a great deal. But there is still so much room for improvement, and I want to make time for that in 2015.  Number two, Get & keep everything organized and running smoothly for the business side of things. If I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. I got registered and became an LLC last year. Last week, I met with a CPA and asked her all of my million questions. I'm so glad I did! Now I have a list of things I need to do to make sure I get it all turned in correctly at tax time. In 2015, I want to get and stay organized, running the business smoothly and efficiently.

5- Create, complete & purchase photo books for 2013 & 2014. Honestly. It's time. In 2013, I decided I needed to have a photo book for each year of our marriage. Since 2013 wasn't over yet, I made my 2012 book, deciding I would go back later & do 2008/2009 (one book since we got married late in 2008), 2010 & 2011. That never happened. So all i have is our wedding book, and our 2012 book, both of which turned out beautifully. Today I am starting book 2013 and I would like to finish it and do my 2014 book before the year is over. Eventually, yes, I want to go back and do the ones from the beginning of our marriage, but completing two this year sounds more realistic than doing all 5!

I am sure there are more things I would LIKE to do in 2015. Aka, travel, send snail mail, flowers and other fun things more, cook meals for people more, have friends over more, do another whole30 or two, keep this house more clean and organized, you get the idea. But the ones above are the most important to me, and the ones I want to focus on the most! :)

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Before I leave, I wanted to share some good things I read this week!

God will give us more than we can handle: You know how people love that little phrase, "Well, God will never give you something you can't handle!" And they even will say the Bible says that? Well, it doesn't. God WILL give us more than we can handle, so that at the end of ourselves, we turn to Him! Caroline just wrote a great post on this, thought I would share it with you. So much truth.

Why Are You Single? When i was single, i HATED being asked "so why are you single?" or, even better, "so when are YOU going to get married?" when the asker knew i didn't have any prospects! Amy shared this article on her blog, and I thought it was too good not to share.

The Brutally Honest 6 Reasons You are still Overfat. This was SO GOOD. If you need a kick in the pants, something that shoots your excuses in the head, and maybe motivates you step away from the pantry and actually get off your butt and do some exercise, THIS IS THE ARTICLE FOR YOU. I loved it and needed to hear it. (Beware, there is a good bit of foul language.)

I Could have a Baby but She Could Not. I loved this. It literally made me weepy, because for someone who has not experienced infertility to have the ability to truly put herself in her coworker's shoes, and really learn from that. Beautifully written. I will say, i would never ask someone NOT to share in their joy of pregnancy. I feel like it is up to me to remove myself from a situation that is too hard for me, rather than ask them to not mention it around me. So that part of the post is not my reason for sharing this. It's just about being more sensitive with what you say (and post) when you know someone struggling with infertility is around. This writer's understanding and compassion is truly remarkable.

So there ya go!! Enjoy. And hope you are having a great weekend! :)

3 comments:

  1. Those are some good goals... and I'm all about that 80/20 while I'm visiting!

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  2. Way to go! You can do the 80/20, Mel! I will pray for you and believe you can! Maybe you could schedule in your treat day... like if you know there's a birthday that week, that'll be your treat day. Just a suggestion if you think you'll have trouble sticking to once a week.

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  3. Love your goals and resolutions. I have a feeling you'll accomplish them all! :)

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