Okay, now that we are officially 6 days in to the new year, I should probably get around to writing down the direction in which I'd like to head. You can call them resolutions if you'd like, but I am looking at it more as an overarching guide, something to strive toward in a myriad of ways. One blog I was reading described coming up with one word for 2011. I thought this was a fascinating concept. I like how she broke it down into a different word for her many realms. Another blogger chose to focus on the word create and applied it to her entire life.
The approach I am going to take is sort of a combination. I am going to pick one word, describe what I envision for the different aspects of my life, and some specific steps on how to get there. Remembering, as in anything, it is about progress, not perfection. I will strive to achieve what I feel is the standard, but also remember that I am only human, and thus be gentle with myself. Since nothing is overly prescriptive, I can get back up, dust myself off, and keep on riding if the inevitable fall does occur.
After much pondering and prayer, the word that was most meaningful and kept coming to mind was connect.
As opposed to creating something new, I feel connection, on all levels, is about finding the true that is buried beneath all the crap everyday life tends to pile on. It is a transformation by unraveling the layers, because in a sense, all of these changes are things that I *know* - I just need to find my way back there.
I choose to CONNECT.
To GOD: I want to continue to deepen my faith and my spiritual relationship with Him by expanding my prayer practice, participating in my MOMS group at Church, continuing to be active (as possible) in parish community, and staying open to hear His voice and receive His Spirit.
To my FAMILY: I want to get back to basics and focus on the simplicity and contentment of just being together. A top priority is being present with them, not just physically there. Closing the computer, leaving the emails, and not checking Facebook are all tangible ways to achieve that. I can really become a slave to social media if I let myself. Reading about parenting is not the same thing as actually doing it; and although I use the internet as a tool for education, nothing beats being fully attentive to your life. I want Emily to know she is a part of our life, for better or for worse, at times. I want to parent peacefully (E and I are currently working on our Team Meyers Mission Statement - I will post it when we complete it). As the adjustment of him being home wears off, I want to delve further into my love affair with the man I have chosen to be my co- everything in life. And I want to make time for all of my other family and friends, both far and near, in whatever way I can. I want to be available.
To my HOME: I want to get a good rhythm down to our days and really assume my role as Queen. I want to continue to work on conscious eating and consuming, and really analyze and change how and what we use for nutrition, household products, personal care items. I had a great headstart in 2010 but there is always more to learn and improve upon. This includes using cloth napkins, making my own deodorant and laundry detergent (and not using dryer sheets), washing my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar (no its NOT a douche!), and using pure shea butter and coconut oil as a moisturizer. The products we still buy to use are either locally made with natural ingredients, or organic. Eating entails buying local, grass-finished beef and bison and pastured eggs, poultry, and pork; buying local vegetables and fruits from Farmer's Markets or CSAs, or organic if from the grocery; and continuing to learn about and cook real food for proper nourishment of my family. I am currently having our milk delivered. I would LOVE to have a cow-share and get raw milk, but for right now, that is financially and practically not possible for us. BUT it is a goal I hope to achieve, along with the fancy water filtration system I covet for "someday". I would also like to be more fiscally responsible and finally get us to a place where we are comfortable with how we steward our wealth - this will be a work in progress.
To my WORK: I have recently had a perspective shift that sort of cleared my brain and renewed my energy. My work is my passion, my dream, and where I am beginning to feel self-actualized. The problem with that is the tendency to become consumed with the multitude of directions in which to go. With a job like mine, it is easy to see how you could always be doing more. A lot of wheels are usually spinning. Which clutters up my already active brain; even if I am not necessarily "busy", I feel swamped. Since I already have a big project in the works that needs my utmost focus and attention, I am letting go. I will still run my business, and my breastfeeding moms group, moderate my Facebook page, and utilize any opportunities available to me. However, I will not become caught up in the "rat race" or consume my brain with other ways to market myself, get ahead, or diversify. There is SO much I could do, and I have great ideas. And I can't do it all. My main goal was to support moms and babies, as well as my continuing education. I am not abandoning my drive or ambition, simply refocusing on my priorities, such as this project and my recently reunited family. Nothing more important than the latter. I need to practice what I preach! And that little shift in my perspective has already brought me peace.
To my SELF: I want to work on being healthy - and that encompasses everything from moving my body more (much much more) regularly, going to bed at a regular earlier time, making necessary food choices such as decreasing sugar and grains and increasing vegetables to decluttering our surroundings, using my time wisely and making some (even if small amount) time for myself daily, and expressing myself regularly through writing (this blog!). I have the last big project of Emily's closet to get done, and would like more technical organization with getting my pictures and important information backed up to my hard-drive. There will always be the day-to-day life stuff that crops up and eats up time and energy, but my goal is to accomplish what I can, and take it all in stride. We more than likely will be facing a move sometime this year, and the more that is done, the easier it will be. I have a vested interest more than ever because we are hoping to also expand our family sometime soon as well.
Some of these are very specific steps and some are ideals, but both are important in reaching the ultimate goal of connection. This tenet will color my world this year and I will do my best to live up to my lofty expectations of myself - especially now that it is in writing!
I have been struggling a bit in the SELF department in the areas of making good food choices, eating proper portions (or listening to my body), and stagnating (not moving myself). The holidays and homecoming combo was NOT my friend. This is where I am right now, and hoping that since these resolutions are in writing, that it is official. I am committing to change by connecting to myself. There.
I know this is about 2 or 3 blogs posts that were long overdue - sorry it got windy. Writing this has been a good mental exercise and it provides me a vision where I can place both my attention and intention. (I will not, at this time, do a vision board, but I really like the concept.) So, here's to 2011!
Away we go!
1 comment:
Love this post!
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