January Goals

I think instead of making big sweeping goals for the new year like I usually do, I'm going to focus on one month at a time-- part of my goal of being present this year.  If I focus on one month at a time, it keeps me from looking too far ahead and living 6 months ahead of myself all of the time.  So here they are for this month.

No. 1: Have an open mind.  I've been struggling to figure out my role in my new workplace.  In the most obvious of ways, it's as a nurse.  But I think I was quick to judge this job and this smaller hospital, and now I'm trying to take back all of the negativity that I projected onto it within my first few weeks of working there.  I'm learning a TON and dealing with things that are so different from 3 West, and at first, I hated that.  I wanted what was familiar, not something totally alien to me.  Scott had a long heart-to-heart with me the other night and convinced me that new is good; it's how I'll build up experience in nursing and learn more for my profession.  So goal #1 of this month is to have an open mind and open heart for new things.

No. 2: Be brave.  This one is going to be hard.  I'm an introvert by nature and love quiet nights in my apartment.  But last night as I sipped wine by myself while watching chick flicks to ring in New Year's, I felt a little bit lonely and a little bit sad that I didn't have friends to celebrate like I would back home.  And I realized that in order to make friends here, I have to step outside of my introvert box and put myself on the line.  I have to be brave.

No. 3: Follow my gym calendar.  I've made a gym calendar for this month with different activities planned for each day, and I'd really like to get back into working out so I can feel healthy again.  I've tried to be realistic with my gym goals-- I'm not saying I'm going to go every day for three hours.  I've given myself off on days that I work 12 hour shifts, and I've told myself that it's not about losing weight, but being healthy and strong.  I want to feel confident in my wedding dress in April.  I want to tone and strengthen so I feel as strong as I did when I first graduated from college and lost 20 pounds.  With three months to go, I'm taking it one month at a time :)

No. 4: Read a book.  Maybe two.  I want to read Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist (my life will be so sad when I'm finished reading her books-- I hope she has another in the works!), but I also want to read the books I bought to read pre-wedding with Scott.  I've been planning this wedding for months but want to spend the next few months focusing on preparing for the marriage.

No. 5: Spend more time in Scripture.  This speaks for itself.  I'm going Old-Testament for the start of this year.  Hold me accountable on this one-- I struggle with Old Testament language and stories sometimes!

No. 6: Write more letters.  This is inspired by my dear friend Shannon.  I want to keep in touch with everyone I promised to be pen pals with.  I've got a giant decorative box full of stationary-- time to put it to good use!

Lots of love, sweet friends.