Monday, January 3, 2011

Changing for the better

I'm sitting at my computer trying to talk myself into going down into my freezing basement to run on the treadmill. Granted, it's not as cold there as it is outside, but still. So here I am pondering the new year and I realize I haven't even written down my new year's resolutions. My mother would be mortified!

Traditionally, we always made new goals when the year started. It was the LAW in my house as I grew up. I've gotten out of that habit. I couldn't decide if I liked the tradition or not. I mean, really. If you're goal oriented, you're goal oriented. If not, it's a waste of time, right?

After forty years of life, I've decided it's not a waste of time. We may not achieve these goals but hey, we made them and at least started working toward them. That will create good habits hopefully.

So, this year, these are my goals. Not in any order of importance.

1. To be able to run for 30 minutes at 6 mph. Right now, I'm running 30 min at 5.2 mph. Two days ago, I ran 5.4 mph for 20 min and thought I'd die. But every time it gets better and easier. I'd love to run a half marathon or something, but  my body has to train REALLY slow or I hurt myself. Oh well. At least I'm trying.

2. To read my scriptures and pray/meditate every day. I want my relationship with God to grow, deepen and become more meaningful.

3. To control my appetites. Mostly the physical ones. I'm so weak. I eat things that are not good for me, and I tend to be lazy. I'll work on those.

4. To grow my hair out w/o getting impatient and cutting it off before I get there! I'm having a mid-life crises and need to feel young again. =)

5. To spend meaningful time with my kids. To make happy memories and to not yell so much. I love them so much and want them to know it.

6. Write at least 5 days a week. If I can write 50k words in eleven days, I can certainly maintain this goal. Writing is my passion and if I'm going to publish a book, I need to keep plugging away. Even if all my thousands of stories are only printed after I die! LOL

I'll start with these. What are yours?

14 comments:

mshatch said...

those are great resolutions. I don't really have any except to get off the holiday sow wagon. And to finish mt revisions so I can work on my next wip. Maybe get an agent. That would suit me.

Unknown said...

Hope you manage to keep to those resolutions, Mother always said that how you felt at New Year would be an indication of how you fared in the coming year, so I'm trying desperately to be positive and busy. :0)

Mary Gray said...

Very well-rounded goals, lady. I talked my husband into letting me put my daughter in a 2 1/2 hour preschool twice a week just so I could meet one of my writing goals: to write another book this year. I like how you said you'll write five days a week. I want to be more specific, but if I do, I'll get angry when I don't get to! I know myself--one book this year. But now to make goals for the other aspects of life... I'm working on those. :)

Krista said...

Good goals, Melissa! I accidentally made some, too. Maybe I should write them down. You've inspired me!

Wendy Lu said...

Sounds like you're starting off the new year with a lot of inspiration and determination. :) These are some really excellent goals...best of luck! I have no doubt that you'll accomplish a great deal this year!

~TRA

http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Your goals sound very much like mine.

Angie said...

Those are really good goals. I wish you the best for the new year!

Old Kitty said...

Happy New Year Melissa J Cunningham!

I think you have amazing goals here - really focused and meaningful! Good luck with them!

I tend to just wing it and take one day at a time! Oh that's so feeble of me!! LOL!

:-)

Take care
x

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Those are great! Remember, once you start going on the treadmill, you'll warm up. This year, I'm polishing the sequel to my book.

Anonymous said...

Good goals, I would say!

I love my treadmill, but I don't "run" on it. I figure at my age anything is better than nothing!

My main goal: To endure each day WELL and not get impatient with my disabled daughter. I'm doing more with the scriptures, too. What do we take with us....?

little sis K said...

One of my many goals is 10 sun salutations in the morning... 10 at night. I bought a NEW yoga mat that makes me happy to use it. It is a pretty blue that reminds me of the color of the sky or water on vacation!
Good luck on your goals sista!

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Southern California.

I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to :-)

God Bless You, ~Ron

Unknown said...

Okay, Melissa. You put it out there for the world to see. Now I'm going to check up on you, especially the hair thing. That one I can just look at you and know. (But that one is also the one that wouldn't matter so much if you decided you weren't in a mid-life crisis.) When you start to want to get those scissors out, just remember your old lady friend with longer hair than you! Tee hee.

Abby Minard said...

Great goals! I also need to eat healthier- not as much fast food this year! Good luck on writing- I'm hoping to revise and start querying this year!