Goals for 2016

Happy new year!

I haven't updated in awhile. Over a month. My bad. But have no fear, things are going well. It's just been busy - the wedding, the holidays, hosting friends and family. I have been feeling a bit swept up lately, though, and I figured I ought to take the time to reflect and make some goals for 2016.

1. Be happier. Straight forward enough - perhaps it should say "be content". I did a lot of pining over the summer last year, not to mention I was all moody during the previous winter... so this year my number one goal is to be happier with what is and accepting of it. After all, my life is pretty awesome, even when my husband is far away with only a sat phone and letters to keep us connected. I've also noticed that my patience was wearing a bit thin in 2015 - I definitely need to cultivate a thicker skin (equanimity, a quiet spirit) this year.

2. Waste less. Particularly with regards to food. I've been doing better, but I still would like to be more on top of using things before they go bad.

3. Create more. During the summer my art was definitely on the back burner. I want to make sure that I set aside time each week, if not each day, for some sort of creative activity, be that sewing, painting, knitting, writing, music, or whatever else I can come up with. And speaking of music...

4. Make a record. That's right: I think this is the year. This off-season, I want to get serious about getting into a studio and getting an album made. I've got some good stuff, and enough of it, and I want to get it out there.

5. Be a good student. Why? Because I'm going back to school! I've never really not been a good student, but since I haven't done it in awhile, I figured it would be prudent to put that on my goals.

6. Read more. Isn't this always on my list? I suppose it comes and goes in spurts - in an equal and opposite reaction to my computer usage, to be sure. I did alright last year, but I'd like to tackle a lot more pages in 2016. Of course, I will be starting masters courses in history, so that'll probably evoke a lot of reading on its own. But I'm hoping I'll be able to continue my personal reading besides to keep things interesting!

7. Embrace movement. 2015 involved a lot of sitting around. Too much, really. In order to achieve everything I've already listed, I need to get off my butt and get moving! Not just sitting in front of my computer (or that blasted iphone that Jack convinced me to buy) and getting nothing done. In particular, I'd really like to get in the habit of doing yoga every day (or most days, anyhow) and also of going for a walk most days. At least in the summer when it's nice out. Not having park lands right outside my door (because 1.5 miles is sooo far...) has really cut back on the amount of time I spend walking around in the great outdoors. I want to get out more, hike, bike, swim in the river, and whatever else this summer! For the winter: I definitely need to be doing yoga every day, and taking advantage of sunny days when they come.

So there you have it: my goals for the new year. I'll try to check in on them periodically and let you know how I'm doing.

For No. 7, Embrace Movement, I've signed up for #Yogacamp with Yoga with Adriene for 30 days of free yoga videos to kick off the new year. I did this last year too, and I definitely kept up with my yoga for awhile. Hopefully this year I'll keep up with it even longer.

For No. 3, Create More, I bought a new watercolor journal and started my first painting of the new year today. It's got a ways to go, but it's starting to look like something... :)

For No. 1, Be Happier, I am continuing reading "Jesus Calling", the daily devotional that I purchased over the summer, and I'm considering doing some sort of "fruit of the spirit" plan (either that I find online or that I design myself) to help me strengthen some of those more positive aspects that I feel have been a bit wimpy in my life this past year.

For No. 6, Read More, I think I'll finish typing this blog post and go pick up my copy of "1491" and do just that.

Until next time!