Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Stepping back, looking forward

About a month ago, I decided to write a blog.  In making that decision, I set some pretty lofty goals for myself to make some changes.  The changes themselves weren't exactly lofty, but because I had been struggling to find the opportunity to do any of them for so long, just the idea of accomplishing one felt like a stretch.  Now that this first month has passed, I want to do a little review, a re-cap, to hold myself accountable to what I originally set out to do.  Maybe I'll continue to do this review monthly.  Maybe I'll be doing so well, or so poorly, that I won't find it necessary.  So what have I done?

Well, not all of my original changes have even been possible yet.  Gardening, painting walls, hanging more pictures, all projects for another time.  Seeing more amazing nature I suppose could have been possible, but I haven't made the effort to go out beyond the normal.  I did see a lot of pretty snow-covered things around the neighborhood.  But that's not what I was aiming for.

Keeping in more constant contact with friends and family.....  No, I don't think I've made any progress on this one, but I don't think it was a complete failure either.  Normal life has kept much of that in the forefront anyway, but additional effort has not been made.  Honestly kind of forgot about this.

Want to take better pictures.....This is not a happy topic for me.  I adore taking and sharing pictures.  We don't have a fancy camera, but it has done a great job the past few years.  It is now ready to take a ride to the farm.  But I don't want to go out and get another low-end camera that is going to do this again.  So I must wait.  And take dark, slightly out-of-focus, occasionally perfect, usually not, pictures.  This is just going to have to sit along with the other projects on the shelf.

Need to pray more....You know, this one has in fact seen some progress.  I am a part of a weekly prayer group at church with some very inspiring friends.  Thanks to God's work through them, I am getting better.  Much work to be continued, however.

Need to read more scripture....I made an attempt at this one, and it was not successful.  Happy I tried something, determined to find another way.

Want to bake more...nope.  And now that I am trying to eat better, this project gets shelved for a bit also.  At least until I have time to uncover healthy baking things.  Which leads me into...Want to cook more good meals...This is another that I think has made progress.  I'm not by any means doing anything gourmet or impressive, but I'm trying new things and just plain old cooking more, and getting out of the recipe rut.

Want to read...Not only have I read, I read TWO books in one month!  Without pictures!  And the group of friends I have joined in a book club are all very avid and enthusiastic readers, which will only encourage me more.

Need to exercise...According to the CardioTrainer app on my phone, which I adore, I have exercised 13 times in the past month.  That's not great, but it's better than it has been in the past.  And now that I have challenged my husband to join me in exercising more and eating healthier, I am guaranteed to do it more often, because I do NOT like to lose challenges with him.

What a busy month!  I haven't even mentioned my favorite part of all these challenges, which is writing the blog.  I love writing this blog.  Thank you to all of you who have read it and given me such encouraging feedback to continue.  I suppose I would enjoy the process whether anyone read it or not, but really it is so much more fun when I get to hear your experiences and feedback also.  Bring on February!

3 comments:

  1. You might want to add to your list: Be encouraging to myself. Silly girl! You've tried a few new things in the last month that you're really happy about? A+!

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  2. You have definitely be inspiring and encouraging. You have reached out to me just when I needed it. Also you have been reading more scripture by attending Sunday and Monday Bible studies.
    Karla

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  3. Thank you Susan and Karla. Sounds like maybe I should consult my "support gallery" before my next reflection blog :) I needed the reminders!

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