2017’s Resolutions 

Here is my list of New Year’s resolutions. However, I could just skip the list and tell you my ultimate goal is to be mindful in everything I do, and to focus on today, not worrying so much about tomorrow and leaving the past where it belongs…

• Be mindful in everything I do. Focus on today & whatever I am doing in that moment. This includes unplugging when with friends, when watching a show or a movie. 

• Continue to reduce the amount of stuff I have.  Clutter can impact your eating habits, your peace of mind, your ability to focus and it has even been linked to depression, stress & anxiety. Not to mention – it is so much easier to clean a space which is tidy over an area riddled with stuff.  Clutter is chaotic noise. Live with less & you will live more.

• Slow down.  Rome wasn’t built in one day, so why should I be trying to get everything done in the speediest fashion. I do that at work, but I can slow down when it comes to my own life.

• Need I say more….

• Spend more quality time with the people who feed my soul, who are kind to me and love me with all my warts. Making time for my parents & skyping my brother & his family more in South Korea.  It is important to let the people who are kind to you in your life know.

• You can say you are grateful, but it is even greater when you can share your gratitude with others. Let them know, you know you are blessed and not just entitled.

• I budget every month and every month I go over my budget. There is rarely a time I have leftover cash. I won’t say I will ever be a stellar saver, but I need to try harder to stay on track & stick to my budget.

• I need to work in a half hour of quiet time to pray or meditate on God’s word. After all everything I have is because of Him

• Twenty minutes of natural sunlight a day can do your mind wonders, throw in some movement & it can help your body too. I want to spend more time outside & do some more hiking.

• This may be the toughest resolution for me, as I know it needs to be done, but I am not sure how one goes about believing in yourself more. If you know of any suggestions, I am game to hear them.

• Go to the gym minimally three times a week (this is for proper cardio workouts – not including yoga or such)

I feel almost guilty for saying 2017 will be all about me, but 2016 was unexpectedly tough for me. A lot of changes at my workplace and a lot of challenges in my family. I stopped taking caring of me, and my mental health went off the rails a few times.  I allowed work stuff eat away at me & I worried about others’ perceptions of me which ended up with me sabotaging myself. If I had been better equipped by taking good care of myself in the first place, I believe situations could have played out differently. 

One thing 2016 taught me is that plans can change in a heartbeat & tomorrow is not promised to any one. We need to live now, and live well and we need to take care of our own health as best as we can. Work is work, and hardly shares a sliver of the spotlight when it comes to epic moments in life. So, live your life today, and love your family, friends,  and pets now. Today is all we have, this moment is the only promise we have.

I really do…

Peace & love – Rachel