An end is also a beginning

Four weeks ago I posted for the first time in two and a half years.  I know that journaling and blogging is good for me both mentally and emotionally and so I'm making a personal commitment to myself to do this more regularly.

2012 was a very difficult year for me and though I suffered several losses and setbacks, I also had a lot of successes and I never want to forget that.  Here is my list of achievements for 2012:

      SPIRITUAL

·         Completed my Sacrament of Confirmation

FINANCIAL

·         Joined finances and managed a household budget for two people
·         Job change doubled my income

PHYSICAL

·         Started my first 90-day Challenge on ViSalus (lost 16 lbs. in 8 weeks)

SOCIAL

·         Maintained my friendships during my relationship

·         Reconnected with long distance friends

MENTAL

·         Worked through heartbreak using tools I learned in therapy and through self-help books

·         Started watching less TV and reading more books

CAREER/SCHOOL

·         Completed my Associate of Science degree in Computer Science

·         Nominated student speaker for the 2012 SFCC Commencement Ceremony

·         Completed two courses at UNM

·         Started a new job and doubled my income

FAMILY

·         Built a closer relationship with my Dad

·         Learned new things about myself in a committed relationship

a.       Successfully cohabitated

b.      Joint finances and budgeting can work

c.       Need to be with some who is at least my equal in every way

·         Survived three major losses

Now that I've recapped my 2012, I want to make sure that I start off the new year with very specific goals in mind.  I want to have a plan to work from to continue my growth journey.  Here is my list of goals for 2013:

SPIRITUAL

·         Read my devotional every morning

·         Attend Mass weekly

·         Attend choir practice Wednesday nights

·         Spend at least 15 minutes a day in prayer and meditation

FINANCIAL

·         Balance my accounts every pay period

·         Update my budget every pay period

·         Join classes to review Financial Peace University program

·         Build my emergency fund and pay off loans

PHYSICAL

·         Drink at least one ViSalus shake per day

·         Kickboxing class on Saturdays

·         Schedule a workout time Tuesday and Thursday evenings

·         Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night

SOCIAL

·         Spend less time on Facebook

·         Email or call my long-distance friends at least monthly

·         Join or start a Meetup group for activity outside the home

·         Plan a bi-monthly happy hour for CMBC

MENTAL

·         Journal every night before bed

·         Update blog every week (sometime on the weekend)

·         Read a book monthly for pleasure (weekly when school's out)

·         Do something everyday to fine tune my brain (http://www.dumblittleman.com/2009/09/47-ways-to-fine-tune-your-brain.html)

CAREER/SCHOOL

·         Avoid personal distractions at work

·         Document processes for every request I work on

·         Set up a schedule for online class work

·         Set up a plan for financial aid: how to spend it wisely or how to finish school without it

FAMILY

·         Do my relationship inventory homework (Chris, Jason, Dad, Mom)

·         Write down who I want to be and how I want to behave in a good relationship

·         Write down what I am looking for in my life partner

·         Regular contact with family: monthly emails and phone calls (alternate every two-weeks)

There it is.  Ready.  Set.  Go!