never too late.

 I know this isn't exactly the beginning of the year, so it might be unacceptable for me to talk about the R word...
This week I asked my students to write down one new year's resolution they had & one student responded, 'I don't like to make resolutions because anytime I make them, I never keep them.'
Rather than telling him to JUST write one down, I paused & heard a little voice inside my head saying, 'I know, kid... I feel the same way!'

The kid eventually conjured something up & the resolutions were all posted on a classroom wall & I had some time to think about my stance on resolutions & have decided to approach them as Goals...

Regardless of our stance on Resolutions, I've realized that goals in general always help to help us grow... (and I don't know why calling them goals alleviates pressure for me, but it does!) :)

I just wanted to share some of my 'goals' with you (via images from my Pinterest board) :)

1. incorporate at least 1 fruit or veggie into every meal...

even if I have to deep fry the life out of it.

2. make an effort to let those I love, know it.

this ones a bit challenging for me, as I didn't grow up in a family of overly affectionately expressive people (not an excuse) :) marriage has shown me that love takes effort, but it's so worth it.
(and if I run out of ideas, I can always rely on this!)

This goes for friends as well :)

3. Work on my two unfinished bedrooms

Unfortunately there isn't a Pinterest picture of those (probably because Pinterest only shows pretty & inspirational stuff. Those two definitely do not qualify in either category).

Here are some ideas for the spaces though! :)

a beautiful guest room

or a functional, yet stunning office

either would be better than what they currently are being used for (a hoarder's paradise)...

4. Learn how to use my camera.

seriously. I'm sure many photo ops have passed me by while I was fumbling with one two many settings that I really had no clue of how to control... so, I think the madness needs to stop.

..or I'll just get a polaroid instead. :)

5. be active. at least try.

This category has really been a millstone around my neck in 2011, so rather than just talking about how I need to work out, I'm setting the bar low (hey, did I mention this wasn't meant to be an inspirational post?).

6. be inspired.

so true. This needs to be in a frame on my wall somewhere...

As weird as it sounds, sometimes it takes effort to be inspired... it requires pondering, mulling, pausing.. and sometimes changing the course of our thoughts in another direction.

All great stuff.

and lastly...

7. enjoy the ride.

Every year, I'm usually doing one of these:

when really I end up losing sight of what's most important. 

I can't say I'm the best at it, but I am learning more about balance & not filling up my schedule with things I feel I grudgingly have to do, but really want to make sure that extra commitments (apart from the necessities) are made out of a genuine desire to do so.

I need to be this chick.

Simplicity. It's making me a nicer & happier person. :)

Maybe you're a Resolution-loving person or a don't-utter-that-word-of-contempt type, but I hope this has somewhat inspired you to not be too afraid of expecting more from every approaching year.

So...

What are some of your 'Goals'? :)

p.s. if you know the sources of the above pics, do share!