Finding Myself: Live to My Potential

I just finished an inspiring book, perfect for a New Year, full of revelations and encouragement and phrased in a very down to earth and a very Christian in the real world way. It's called Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt.

 After reading it, I pulled out an old journal I wrote only inspirational things in. I found some quotes I wrote down from some forward-thinking doctoral business student. I bet he is doing awesome things right now. In trying to find my source, I have come up empty, but when I find it, I will link it.

In this non-fiction book, the author shares a dream with her friend. Her friend shares her dream back and sees a way to combine them and says, "why not do this?" They decide to go on a road trip to all 50 states and one will sing and get her talent known, and one will write a book about it. They made a list of what things would have to go to make this happen, like their apartments, their jobs, and one car. They decided to sell some stuff, make arrangements, tell people what they were doing, and make it happen.

They followed this quote:

When you talk about something, it's a dream.
When you envision it, it's exciting.
When you plan it, it's possible.
When you schedule it, it's reality.

They do stuff, they rely on the kindness of strangers, they see some iconic sights and do some neat things. They fight, they fall in love, they break up, they make up, they ponder what the meaning of everything is, or at least the author does. She questions God, herself, her motives, her place in the universe. 

This book is about learning that:

Who I am is greater than anything that could happen to me.

But mostly, it's that being who you are to the fullest extent is worship, is living out your purpose, and it is fulfilling. Taking a road trip, doing things, doesn't change the feelings you have of home, of emptiness, of wanderlust, or of seeking purpose. What fills that hole inside you is allowing yourself to be yourself.

Our life is made up of little moments, little decisions, little actions or inactions.

If we focus on holding onto everything, we clutter our lives and create chaos. If we focus on letting everything go, we float off into emptiness and despair. Some things are worth holding onto. Some things are worth letting go of.

The only constant we have is that we are comprised of a wealth of inherent talents and traits and strengths that can be used to make the world and our lives a happy place where what we do changes us and those around us for the better. When we do what we love, or are made for, we glow. That glow is a beacon for others. Living our potential. My potential.

Are there tough times? Sure.

Is there always an easy way out? Nope.

But when we are fulfilling our destiny, we are in the Kingdom of Heaven, or in commune or worship with God. We are exactly where we need to be and who we really are. That just feels good. We are living to our potential.

Here's the Author's blog post about 5 Lies That Prevent You From Chasing Your Dream which I feel sums up the main ideas from the book pretty well. She addressed each of them in her own journey in the book. 

New Year's Resolutions 2014

Now, if you are new around here, you will need to know that I try to live like every day is a new day. That means every day is New Year's Day.  Forgive. Love. Believe. Live. Laugh.

This also means that I set goals for myself throughout the year and I re-evaluate goals as the year goes on as well. I have to write them down, otherwise how could I remember what to re-evaluate? I keep a little note in a journal-type composition book. I can look over old goals and see how far I've come. Neat, huh?

I write goals in different areas, like: children, marriage, health, travel, financial, and career.

I don't always have time to plan out my goals in steps or stages. Often, writing them down keeps them at the forefront of my mind and therefore, by actively thinking of them, I do them, or I find ways to accomplish them.

For example, last year I pledged to myself, "No more fast food." By keeping that in mind, I was able to repeat to my husband, a.k.a. partner in crime, and hold myself accountable. I would put up a fight, so to speak, if we needed to eat and he suggested a fast food establishment. "I don't want fast food, I promised myself! It's yucky!" You get the picture.

Did it work?

Yes.

Did I stick to it 100%?

No. He brought home Long John Silver's and Burger King a couple times. I went to Chick Fil A with my sister once.

However, eating it a couple times was A LOT less than the year before.

This year I want to increase my health. My husband and I both had blood drawn in 2013 and it came back within normal range. We are not unhealthy already. But there are things we are not doing that can improve our health.

1. Drink more water.

Order water when eating out at restaurants all the time. I usually go for a clear soda like Sprite or Sierra Mist, lemonade, or raspberry sweet tea. Do you actually look at the prices of drinks these days?? Most places do not charge for water. So not only will I save calories, but I will save money.

2. Exercise more.

I began consciously moving my body more this summer. The weather was nice, I wanted to be outside, and there were things to do. Then in late fall/winter I start to get lazy. I work, which includes movement, but also includes stress. I come home exhausted mentally, do my college coursework, and veg out at night. What my body needs is to MOVE. I noticed positive results to my psyche, attitude, and energy levels when I was walking the dog in the evenings in contrast to the evenings when it has been too cold to be outside for long. We just bought an elliptical, so the 'move more' goal is ready to go.

3. Save money.

I'm not even sure how much or what for. I thought maybe for Christmas next year, have a nice little nest egg.. or a road trip maybe even further down the line.. or maybe just to buy myself a new wardrobe when I get skinny and can't fit in my pants. :)  I was able to save up a nice little 'rainy day' fund last year and I spent it on back-to-school time because I had a classroom to get ready, two sons to get ready, and the money had run out from that contract by August. I have a different contract this year, so if I could do it last year, I can do it again.

I'll spend some time reviewing my personal goals and those for my relationships and my family. No rush. Since every day is a new day, any day can be a new start.

Fitter Me: Baby Steps

Yesterday I did two 6-minute workouts on the elliptical. I felt the burn in my legs both times. I was proud of myself, though.

Today I decided to stick to my plan of starting a 5 day challenge by Daily Hiit. I adjusted the workout because I am not at the level in the video. I got a free Hiit timer on my cell phone and wrote the routine down on a small paper. These were my only workout companions.

Here's what I did.

50 seconds on, 10 seconds rest

1. Burpees

2. Push-ups with knee touches (cross to elbow) as a rest between push-ups

3. Mountain Climbers as fast as I could go

4. Crab touches (crab position, reach opposite hand to raised leg/toes across body, keep bottom off floor, abs tight)

These are my favorite.

I got through one round. My arms felt like jello and my breath was fast. I am not very good at push ups to begin with. All of Daily Hiit routines are supposed to be 3 rounds. :(
I may take a break for a while and go back and do it again for a second round. Or I may do a dance or yoga on the Wii which sound a lot more fun. :)   Baby Steps.

I got started. For this, I am proud of myself. I don't know how it will work out when I go back to work, but I think this small vacation is a good time to focus and begin.