My Goals This Summer

I cannot even really put into words how great this summer has been. And it's not over yet! It's not like anything super exciting or out of the ordinary has happened - I'm working and going to school...But I have never felt healthier and I use that word not only in the sense of physically healthy, but on so many different levels. A lot of it probably has to do with the fact that I am focused - at the beginning of the summer I made a list of goals and I've really kept to them. Everyday I try to do 1+ of the following: run, read, play piano. When I am running I find the motivation to push forward no matter what life throws at me, to love unconditionally, and to fight for the good in people. In these moments of clarity, life seems to make sense. I have the confidence to answer yes to the lyric in Pink's song Glitter in the Air, "Have you ever looked fear in the face and said I just don't care?" Reading and playing the piano are two things I love to do, but never seem to find the time - this summer I've made it happen. I've given up facebook for the summer, and let me you I am so glad. I am better able to live in the here and the now - I think it has improved the quality of my relationships. The negatives outweighed the positives - facebook was nothing more than a distraction and a way for me to compare myself to others...so I finally decided enough is enough and cut it out completely. I've been working at Walgreens as much as possible to pay for my new 2002 red toyota camry which I absolutely LOVE!! Everytime I drive that car, I have such a feeling of satisfaction - I can't wait to pay it off completely. My initial goal was to spend no more than $200 the whole summer - but with gas as an expense that wasn't feasible. So far I have spent about $300. There are a few people in my life that I find I only text in moments of insecurity and I've committed this summer to not do that. I've gone to church every Sunday at different places, except for Sundays when I have work or family stuff (like Father's Day). I've also journaled about each service I've gone to...journaling is something else on my list of goals. I've also started learning how to cook and am putting together a collection of recipes so I can cook this coming school year since I'll be in an apartment! :) Along with learning to cook, I've begun eating healthy, as of this week really, I've started making it a priority to eat fruits and vegetables everyday. A couple of goals I haven't followed through with...YET: doing an Old Testament bible study (reviewing over the material from my REL classes I will be tutoring on in the fall), volunteering regularly somewhere, listen to "Religious Lives of Ozarks Women" interviews (from the website I maintained for last semester under the direction of Lora Hobbs in the REL Studies Department at MSU), and reading the news.

I think the main thing I've learned in regards to making goals is that they aren't going to happen unless they are specific and you start small so they are do-able. I've found the best thing to do is just take the first step towards whatever goal it is you are hoping to achieve - just doing one small thing right then and there when you first get the idea of a goal is the most effective way of getting it done. Write them down and keep them out where you will see them on a daily basis (I have a checklist on a whiteboard in my room - everyday I make sure I do at least 1 of run/read/piano.....it has worked for me this summer.) One day at a time.