Let me draw your attention to The Grits Guide To Life section in the right toolbar. See it down there? Yes. For the past ETERNITY, I’ve been reading the Twilight Series and as of last night, I finished the last book Breaking Dawn! Hip Hip Hooray!
I really liked the series, however I did feel the books went on and on for quite a while in the beginning and then BAM! All the good stuff happens in two chapters in the end.
If you’re interested in reading the books, read them I say. If you’re interested in seeing the movies, enjoy the eye candy I say. I switched to Team Jacob following New Moon. I hate Taylor and Taylor didn’t last. She’s so cute.
You might remember that one of my priority 2 goals for 2010 is to read 25 books. Well, seeing that Breaking Dawn was a gazillion pages long and took me into the 13th day of the New Year, it’s going on the list. 24 to go ya’ll!
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010 Goals
I’ve been putting a lot of thought into what I want to achieve in 2010. I was listening to one of the talk radio shows last week on my way to work and they said the best way to achieve your goals was to only set one. Pick one habit that you want to change.
This thought overwhelmed me a bit. Just one thing? Seriously? I got to thinking about my friend Stephanie who decided to work on humility in 2009. Her entire year was focused on that one thing. I thought it was sort of neat. And, I’ve been a little disenchanted with the blog lately so maybe picking one thing and making it a project for the blog would be a good idea.
So, I started thinking that maybe I can focus on being more Christ-like. Yea. That’s a good one I thought. But, it’s a little too broad. Being Christ-like is my entire being. Everything about me needs to be Christ-like. It needs more focus. I need one thing that I can work on in order to glorify Him more.
I am going to make being healthier my goal for 2010. Specifically, eating better. I am #1 on eating out with friends, hitting a drive thru, Starbucks, processed foods and ice cream when I want it. That’s me. So, in 2010, I’m going to eat better.
How am I going to do that you ask? Well, you, dear reader, are going to hold me accountable. Starting on January 4, I’m going to take a photo of everything I eat and I am going to post it here on the Drawl. I think knowing that I have to post what goes into my mouth will make me think twice about that Pollo Fundido. I’m going to research and educate myself along the way (and of course, let you know what I find out).
It’s my prayer that by January 1, 2011:
-I cook more than I eat out each week
-I have lost 10 lbs
-Processed foods are kept at a minimum
-That I’m educated about nutrition and what I’m putting into my body
-I workout on a regular basis
You’re probably thinking "that’s nice Ashely, but what does eating have to do with being Christ-like." Well, I’ve thought about this and prayed about it. Luke tells us in chapter two that Jesus grew physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. I think it’s a good idea to set goals in these categories as long as they glorify Him.
Our bodies are a temple and we should treat them as such. One area that I struggle in with food is that I’m an emotional eater (i.e. bored=food in mouth) and at certain points I think I fall into gluttony and indulge too much. Notice that I call it a struggle, yet when you get down to it, eating too much is a sin. After eating too much, I wind up feeling sick, guilty and frustrated. After eating out too much, I wind up feeling guilty, upset and frustrated with my lack of good stewardship of my money.
And, while this is my #1A priority for 2010, I am still going to work on other areas:
better prayer life: Patti and I are going to do a study on prayer this spring semester and I am going to aim to have one day a week (separate from my quiet time) where I spend at least 30 minutes in prayer.
memorize scripture: My goal is one verse a month.
workout more: I think this will naturally happen if I’m eating better and striving to be healthy. My goal is to do some type of activity at least five days a week.
do better with my finances: I did pretty well in 2009 with getting on track so I’m just going to continue making progress.
serve more: I’m praying about where God wants me to serve and am going to start seeking out opportunities.
do my quiet time everyday: This was going good for a while and it has fallen off during the busy Christmas season. Go figure we’re celebrating His birth and I can’t find time to spend with Him. We’re going to get back on track this week.
read: My goal is to read 25 books this year.
What are your goals?
This thought overwhelmed me a bit. Just one thing? Seriously? I got to thinking about my friend Stephanie who decided to work on humility in 2009. Her entire year was focused on that one thing. I thought it was sort of neat. And, I’ve been a little disenchanted with the blog lately so maybe picking one thing and making it a project for the blog would be a good idea.
So, I started thinking that maybe I can focus on being more Christ-like. Yea. That’s a good one I thought. But, it’s a little too broad. Being Christ-like is my entire being. Everything about me needs to be Christ-like. It needs more focus. I need one thing that I can work on in order to glorify Him more.
I am going to make being healthier my goal for 2010. Specifically, eating better. I am #1 on eating out with friends, hitting a drive thru, Starbucks, processed foods and ice cream when I want it. That’s me. So, in 2010, I’m going to eat better.
How am I going to do that you ask? Well, you, dear reader, are going to hold me accountable. Starting on January 4, I’m going to take a photo of everything I eat and I am going to post it here on the Drawl. I think knowing that I have to post what goes into my mouth will make me think twice about that Pollo Fundido. I’m going to research and educate myself along the way (and of course, let you know what I find out).
It’s my prayer that by January 1, 2011:
-I cook more than I eat out each week
-I have lost 10 lbs
-Processed foods are kept at a minimum
-That I’m educated about nutrition and what I’m putting into my body
-I workout on a regular basis
You’re probably thinking "that’s nice Ashely, but what does eating have to do with being Christ-like." Well, I’ve thought about this and prayed about it. Luke tells us in chapter two that Jesus grew physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. I think it’s a good idea to set goals in these categories as long as they glorify Him.
Our bodies are a temple and we should treat them as such. One area that I struggle in with food is that I’m an emotional eater (i.e. bored=food in mouth) and at certain points I think I fall into gluttony and indulge too much. Notice that I call it a struggle, yet when you get down to it, eating too much is a sin. After eating too much, I wind up feeling sick, guilty and frustrated. After eating out too much, I wind up feeling guilty, upset and frustrated with my lack of good stewardship of my money.
And, while this is my #1A priority for 2010, I am still going to work on other areas:
better prayer life: Patti and I are going to do a study on prayer this spring semester and I am going to aim to have one day a week (separate from my quiet time) where I spend at least 30 minutes in prayer.
memorize scripture: My goal is one verse a month.
workout more: I think this will naturally happen if I’m eating better and striving to be healthy. My goal is to do some type of activity at least five days a week.
do better with my finances: I did pretty well in 2009 with getting on track so I’m just going to continue making progress.
serve more: I’m praying about where God wants me to serve and am going to start seeking out opportunities.
do my quiet time everyday: This was going good for a while and it has fallen off during the busy Christmas season. Go figure we’re celebrating His birth and I can’t find time to spend with Him. We’re going to get back on track this week.
read: My goal is to read 25 books this year.
What are your goals?
Friday, January 1, 2010
2009 Wasn't Too Shabby
Let’s preface by saying that this post was worked on for around an hour and completed until blogger decided to send it into the unknown. So, here’s the second go round.
I started off 2009 pretty lazy and failed to make a list of goals for the year. I set goals. I don’t resolve to do anything. My lack of goal setting should explain why I don’t resolve.
Never fear, my friend Faith had tagged me and requested that I make five predictions for 2009. Let’s see how I did.
1. I predict that the UNC Tar Heels men's basketball team will win the NCAA championship and NC State will not be invited to the NIT.
Check.
2. I predict that at least two more couples in CYC will get engaged.
Check. Congratulations Andrew and Keri and Dave and Anna! CYC had five marriages in 2009. Whew!
3. I predict that my physical appearance will be altered - whether the bee's knees or a big ol' hot mess - only time will tell.
Check. At the time, I was thinking I would try to loose that annoying 15 lbs (which didn’t happen). But, after sevenish years of pleading to insurance companies, doing physical therapy and praying, His timing was perfect. In February, I got my boobies chopped off (as I like to say). Not one iota of regret and it’s been the greatest thing ever. I feel great, my back doesn’t hurt, and my running pace has increased. Yay!
4. I predict that 80s glam rock hair will make a comeback and Tonya will lead the effort here in Raleigh.
Well, not so much. Tonya became a mommy in September and my new prediction is that around 2030, Finley and her friends will rock the tall bangs better than Tawny ever could. You know the trends always come back around.
5. I predict that I will know how to cook more than three meals by the end of the year.
Check. The three to start with were macaroni-and-cheese, hot dogs and spaghetti. Now, we’ve added Strawberry Goat Cheese Grilled Chicken Salad and Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa. I cooked a lot more in 2009 and am working on building a repertoire of 30ish recipes that I enjoy. I cooked some other things throughout the year, but they haven’t made the cut.
I thought I did pretty well with my predictions. And, even though I never made an official goal list for 2009, there were some things I accomplished that I’m rather excited about.
In 2009, I became satisfied in who I am in Christ. I have realized that I didn’t go on one date in 2009. In fact, I haven’t been on a date since March 2008. And, I’m okay with that. In no way, do I not long to have a boyfriend or be married. But in 2009, I think I really learned to become content in my relationship with Christ and to let him fulfill those longings. It’s something I have to ask Him to do everyday. I remind myself that if it will bring Him more glory for me to be married, then He will provide. Read more about it here.
In 2009, I finally got my Benjamin’s in order. Well, maybe not Benjamin’s. During the summer, I thought I would do a challenge where I would spend less money and save. People still ask me how it went. Yea. I didn’t do a good job of tracking. But, in October, I FINALLY sat my butt down for a few hours and made a budget.
I’ve read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and Baby Step #1 is to pay off all debt (credit cards, student loans, cars, houses). He also advocates using cash only and I decided to give it a whirl. My debit card is now the devil. I never realized how much I would spend when using my debit card. Now that I use cash, I evaluate every purchase I make and decide whether it’s only $5 and I need it are true justifications for the purchase. Shopping takes a little longer, but hey, I’m saving money. I also picked up a new couponing hobby which I hope to get better at over the next year.
Since October (three months ago when I FINALLY sat down!), I’ve put more than $630 towards paying down debt. This amount doesn’t include the regular monthly amount I have budgeted towards paying down debt. This money was what I call ‘left-over’s.’ It’s what was left at the end of the month because I’m spending less thanks to using cash and coupons. And, it’s like crack. I can’t wait to see what I accomplish in 2010!
There were other highlights to the year such as the Twilight addiction, going to Mexico for Lesh and Doug’s wedding and discovering Google Reader. But, the above two are the ones that I really feel like I focused on and accomplished with God’s help. All in all, 2009 wasn’t too shabby. Let’s get ready for 2010, shall we?
I started off 2009 pretty lazy and failed to make a list of goals for the year. I set goals. I don’t resolve to do anything. My lack of goal setting should explain why I don’t resolve.
Never fear, my friend Faith had tagged me and requested that I make five predictions for 2009. Let’s see how I did.
1. I predict that the UNC Tar Heels men's basketball team will win the NCAA championship and NC State will not be invited to the NIT.
Check.
2. I predict that at least two more couples in CYC will get engaged.
Check. Congratulations Andrew and Keri and Dave and Anna! CYC had five marriages in 2009. Whew!
3. I predict that my physical appearance will be altered - whether the bee's knees or a big ol' hot mess - only time will tell.
Check. At the time, I was thinking I would try to loose that annoying 15 lbs (which didn’t happen). But, after sevenish years of pleading to insurance companies, doing physical therapy and praying, His timing was perfect. In February, I got my boobies chopped off (as I like to say). Not one iota of regret and it’s been the greatest thing ever. I feel great, my back doesn’t hurt, and my running pace has increased. Yay!
4. I predict that 80s glam rock hair will make a comeback and Tonya will lead the effort here in Raleigh.
Well, not so much. Tonya became a mommy in September and my new prediction is that around 2030, Finley and her friends will rock the tall bangs better than Tawny ever could. You know the trends always come back around.
5. I predict that I will know how to cook more than three meals by the end of the year.
Check. The three to start with were macaroni-and-cheese, hot dogs and spaghetti. Now, we’ve added Strawberry Goat Cheese Grilled Chicken Salad and Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa. I cooked a lot more in 2009 and am working on building a repertoire of 30ish recipes that I enjoy. I cooked some other things throughout the year, but they haven’t made the cut.
I thought I did pretty well with my predictions. And, even though I never made an official goal list for 2009, there were some things I accomplished that I’m rather excited about.
In 2009, I became satisfied in who I am in Christ. I have realized that I didn’t go on one date in 2009. In fact, I haven’t been on a date since March 2008. And, I’m okay with that. In no way, do I not long to have a boyfriend or be married. But in 2009, I think I really learned to become content in my relationship with Christ and to let him fulfill those longings. It’s something I have to ask Him to do everyday. I remind myself that if it will bring Him more glory for me to be married, then He will provide. Read more about it here.
In 2009, I finally got my Benjamin’s in order. Well, maybe not Benjamin’s. During the summer, I thought I would do a challenge where I would spend less money and save. People still ask me how it went. Yea. I didn’t do a good job of tracking. But, in October, I FINALLY sat my butt down for a few hours and made a budget.
I’ve read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and Baby Step #1 is to pay off all debt (credit cards, student loans, cars, houses). He also advocates using cash only and I decided to give it a whirl. My debit card is now the devil. I never realized how much I would spend when using my debit card. Now that I use cash, I evaluate every purchase I make and decide whether it’s only $5 and I need it are true justifications for the purchase. Shopping takes a little longer, but hey, I’m saving money. I also picked up a new couponing hobby which I hope to get better at over the next year.
Since October (three months ago when I FINALLY sat down!), I’ve put more than $630 towards paying down debt. This amount doesn’t include the regular monthly amount I have budgeted towards paying down debt. This money was what I call ‘left-over’s.’ It’s what was left at the end of the month because I’m spending less thanks to using cash and coupons. And, it’s like crack. I can’t wait to see what I accomplish in 2010!
There were other highlights to the year such as the Twilight addiction, going to Mexico for Lesh and Doug’s wedding and discovering Google Reader. But, the above two are the ones that I really feel like I focused on and accomplished with God’s help. All in all, 2009 wasn’t too shabby. Let’s get ready for 2010, shall we?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)