I Resolve To...

There is NOTHING more exciting to me than the chance to start fresh with the excitement of a new year. I always look forward to planning and setting goals for myself to achieve over the next year. Here are my 2012 resolutions, in no particular order, and I had to create 10 because my head liked the solidity and feeling of that number.

1) No phone while driving.
- I am embarrassed and ashamed to admit that I have gotten terrible at this. It all started when I was working nights and would fall asleep on my way home from working 13 hour shifts WHILE driving. I would actually find it was safer for me to mess with my phone in order to stimulate me and keep me awake. I know, scary!! I would like to thank the Lord above for protecting me all those mornings. Now I have a terrible habit of being on my phone while driving and it is just the worst. I resolve to stop this nasty habit before I hurt myself or someone else.

2) Learn to play the ukulele.
My husband bought me one for Christmas and I swear almost every year I resolve to learn to play a musical instrument. I am determined to have him teach me so I can make music with him.

3) Be a blessing.
I have SO many wonderful people in my life. I decided I wanted to start doing something for others and why not do something for the people that affect me and touch me the deepest. I made a list of 52 people/couples that mean the most to me in my everyday life and I resolve to draw a name each week of the year and do something to bless them.

4) Keep clean and tidy
I have decided to change my terrible habit of 'letting things go' and then madly cleaning like crazy to a more balanced, keep it clean and tidy all the time. I have made a list of house chores to do everyday and other things that are broken down over the course of the week so with just a little bit of time everyday keeps a clean home all the time.

5) Chew up my projects, one bite at a time
I have a continual list of 'To Dos' that I usually just stare at and hope some eventually get done. I would like to resolve to picking a project each week to work on to start crossing things of the list. This will also feed my crafty side and make me feel better about crossing things of it finally. Most are quite simple like, hang that picture, preserve my wedding dress, organize that cabinet, etc.

6) Convert to cash budget system
I have toyed with this in the past and know that it works best for me. I bought a little plastic divider to separate my cash flow in and I resolve to stick to a budget this year and also start saving more money. I have started a IRA account for investments that will begin in January. It's time to grow up and be a big girl with my income.

7) Prevention
This has been on my list for the past two years. I resolve to start taking better care of my skin and begin an anti-aging regimen. I am terrible at doing something so simple. It's not like putting on a dab of lotion here and there is that difficult.

8) Keep in touch with my spiritual side
I resolve to go back to the basics. Life just seems to get crazier every day in regards to theory on religion and Christianity. I resolve to take it back to the simple things and PRAY. Simply spend more time talking and being with God. I honestly feel that that one action will bring me back in touch with the one who created me.

9) Take one step closer to choosing my next career path
Over the past year I went from starting CRNA school, joining the army (that was a scary phase), applying for FNP school and throwing in the towel altogether and pursuing a career in fitness. I am still not sure what I am called to do, but I feel a happiness and passion for pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle more than anything. Im not quite sure what this means, whether I am to get certified as PT or pursue a nutrition degree, but I would like to have a plan about what is next for me by the end of the year.

10) Place in a competition
You guessed it. Im hooked! Training for this competition has been one of the most challenging and exciting things I have ever done. I have already found my next competition in April and I am looking for more competitions in the fall. I would like to keep this up and try and place in the top 5 of a competition. I also still want to run a marathon before I die, and preferable the Disney marathon in January. I will look into seeing if this is my year for that as well. :)

What are your Resolutions??