to live a purposeful life.

I sincerely love the start of a new year. I love to see people making goals and the excitement that comes from a new beginning. I too am excited for the year ahead and know that if I work hard, I will see many (or all) of my goals accomplished. Overall, I want to be more purposeful this year. I want to take care of myself and not get sucked into the pattern of working, watching tv, eating, and sleeping day after day. I want to look back on my life and know I've spent it doing everything I've dreamed and wanted to do.

This week I've started trying to being aware of how I am spending my time. I feel like in some ways I've made progress and others, not really. I made it an effort to be a little more proactive when I got home from work each day, which included  daily exercise, but I still wasted a lot of time watching Netflix and on social media. I realize this goal is going to take time and I need to be okay with that.

Here's to another week and another chance to better myself in an attempt to live a more purposeful life. Next week's goal: Less tv and more reading (or more anything that's not tv or screen time)



PS...I'm going to be upgrading to a domain...domain name ideas??

2016 + 2017

Just like that 2016 is over. In some ways this year went by so quickly, but when I look back and think of all I did and accomplished, maybe it wasn’t that quick after all. This year has been life changing. I have grown as a person. I have accepted who I am and what makes me happy, and I’ve clung to it. I’ve learned that I can do things on my own. Or I can find people/groups that enjoy the same things I do. I’ve gone out of my comfort zone. I’ve spent time on myself. I’ve paid attention to how I spend my time. And I’ve found that I can be happy, even when life tells me I shouldn’t be. 

As I sit and reflect on the year I’ve had and the year coming up, I’m happy, content, and excited. I wasn’t able to accomplish every goal this year, but I came pretty dang close! My biggest goal was to be happy and to find happiness and I can honestly say I’ve been able to do that. Other goals I’m especially proud of accomplishing: getting a job that uses my master’s degree. I love teaching for BYUI! It doesn’t feel like work to me and has made me realize that’s how all jobs should be. Also, I love that I’ve become a better runner this year. I set such small goals (but big when I set them in January) only to far surpass what I thought I was capable of. I ran a marathon. I honestly never thought that day would come. I ran over 800 miles this year after setting a goal to run 200 (and I thought that would be hard!). I’ve realized that running is my stress-relief and it has become essential in ensuring I feel good. I consider myself a better, more rounded reader after reading 52 new books of various topics this year. And I feel close to my Savior as I’ve been to the temple this year.

My two goals I didn’t accomplish were buying a house and becoming foster parents. Unfortunately, those two things just weren’t in the cards for this year. And honestly, that’s okay. I don’t know if we’ll buy a house next year or not, but I know we’ll have a roof over our heads. I don’t know if we’ll foster or not, but I know we will actively move forward to becoming parents. And someday, when the timing is right, both of those things will happen for us.

And until then, I’m going to live my life purposefully…which is my theme for next year. And I can’t even begin to say how excited I am. Let me explain: to live purposefully means to do things intentionally, not letting the moments pass before you. It means spending less time on the couch and more time doing. It means making every single moment count and living a life you love. It means you don’t work at a job just to earn money. It means you try new things and have new experiences. It means you live. And you do it on purpose. How liberating, right?  

I started thinking up my goals in October/November-ish and I have been so excited for them! Making goals should be exciting. They should be things you want to do/accomplish, not something you feel obligated to do. If you’re not excited about your goals, nothing is going to change and chances are, you won’t get anywhere with them. I have learned that by creating a theme and planning my goals around that theme, I am most successful. As I thought about how I wanted to live a more purposeful life, I realized my goals for 2017 will be (mostly) loosely structured and all about taking opportunities that come my way. Learning not to be scared and saying yes.

When I began writing out my 2017 goals, my header was: “how to have a bomb year by:”... and I decided I’m going to keep it that way. A bomb year is a purposeful year which will turn into a purposeful life. So, without further ado, here’s what I have planned thus far.

·       Re-read all of the best books (my favorites) and for good measure, read some new favorites.          No new goal number, but no less than 12 new authors.

·       Earn the trifecta medal with Runtastic. And also, only new races, with one freebie.

·       Speaking of running, I’m going to run 1,000 miles in 2017!

·       Visit 6 new temples (ones I haven’t done temple work in) + Continue to visit the temple at least          monthly.

·       (My favorite goal for the year) Travel more than 200 (ish) miles each month

·       If I’m going to have a bomb year, I need a good camera to document it with (aka buy a SLR            camera of sorts)

·       If I’m going to be taking a lot of pictures, I better scrapbook them as the year goes by. (or for          heaven’s sakes, at least print them)

·       And while I’m at it, I better blog and or journal each week so I don’t forget.

·       Last, create a lifestyle that will allow me the freedom I want to go have adventures and create          lasting positive memories.

Overall, live a life I would be jealous of someone else living. Seriously, just do it.

I have learned to accept what I cannot control, I’ve learned to find happiness around me and how to cultivate that happiness, and now it’s time for me to go out and do. This life isn’t lived to get from weekend to weekend, or to sit behind a desk. It was meant to live and experience. It was meant to live each moment with a sense of purpose. I will know I’ve had a successful and meaningful 2017 if I can look back on a bunch of new memories and know I’ve developed a life of freedom, happiness, and if I can say that I am experiencing what this world has to offer me. This is the year I develop my own Happiness Project (Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin http://gretchenrubin.com/) 

Good luck to everyone setting goals for 2017! 

12.16 review

Here we are at the end of the year. People are posting about how 2016 was rough and they want to watch it die. Maybe you accomplished your goals, maybe you didn’t. But for me, 2016 was a great year. One I will look back on with happiness. I’ll keep it brief as I plan to post a reflection from the past year and my goals for 2017.

This year I wanted to be happier. I knew I could find and create happiness all around me in my day to day life. This is something I feel like I can say I accomplished. I enjoyed writing about what made me happy each day so much, that I plan to continue it. I learned that I can find happiness in every day and is has made such a difference!

I set out to run one half-marathon this year as I didn’t run one in 2015. I ran the Phoenix half in February, Drop 13 and the American Fork half in June, Revel Big Cottonwood half in September, the St. George marathon and the Haunted Half in October, and the South Davis 5k on Thanksgiving. I am so proud that I was able to keep my running up all year. Never before had I run over 150 miles in a year. Usually I would train for a race and then pretty much stop. So this year, I set out to run 200 miles. I thought it was going to be hard, but then I ended up running over 800 miles. I suppose I didn’t give myself enough credit.

Last December I graduated with my Master’s degree and set a goal to get a job that would use it (as in it’s on the list of qualifications). I applied for a job in December and then was hired for it in August.

I knew I wanted to travel somewhere new this year. My sister Lisa and I had talked about visiting our other sister in Romania, but nothing had been planned. We were able to go to London and Romania in May and had such a nice time! I can’t wait to go back to Europe in 2018! 

As always, I made a reading goal this year. In 2014 I set a goal to read 100 books (which I did) and last year I didn’t know how to top that, so I didn’t read much. This year, I knew I couldn’t top 100, but I still wanted to do something. I stumbled on a reading challenge that had you read 52 new books with certain categories. I thought this would be pretty easy, but it was definitely harder than I thought it would be. I finished in plenty of time and was able to read books I wouldn’t have read otherwise. 

The first two years I had a temple recommend, I didn’t go very often. And in fact, I waited about 4 months to renew it as I didn’t ever go. After I renewed it, I made it a goal to go once a month. I fell in love with going to the temple as it brought me so much peace while I was living in Arizona. For 2016, I decided to step it up and go twice a month. I love going, but at times it felt more like a chore and less like I wanted it to feel. I spent time in 6 different temples this year. I will probably always miss the Mesa temple, but I consider myself so blessed to live so close to so many temples.

The two goals I didn’t accomplish this year were buying a house and becoming foster parents. I was really upset about not accomplishing these two goals. They were the goals I most wanted to see succeed. But sometimes, things are just out of your control and you have to reassess and move on. 

2016 has been wonderful, but I can’t wait for 2017! 

My reads

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book”. –Dr Seuss 

Earlier this year, I was afraid I wasn’t going to accomplish this goal. I had been behind in my reading all year and I felt so busy all the time. Reading has always been important to me and in the last 6 years, I’ve tried to make it a priority by setting reading goals each year. I’ve read more than 52 books in a year, so I felt like this was an easy goal when I initially set it, but I didn’t realize how hard it would be to do an actual reading challenge with specified topics! I loved this challenge because it made me read books I would have never read otherwise. I have new favorites and read from many new authors. 

Here’s how I finished up my year: {see my post in July for the first half} 

*As a reminder, these were all new books for me, I didn’t re-read a single book this year. 

 

24. Life after life- Kate Atkinson (for the category: a book with more than 500 pages)

25. Talking as fast as I can- Lauren Graham (for the category: a book published this year)

26. Flatland- Edwin A. Abbott (for the category: a book with nonhuman characters)

27. I feel bad about my neck- Nora Ephron (for the category: a funny book)

28. PS I still love you- Jenny Han (for the category: a book by a female author)

29. The shadow of the wind- Carlos Ruiz Zafon (for the category: a mystery or a thriller)

30. After you- JoJo Moyes (for the category: a book set in a different country)

31. Songs of the humpback whale- Jodi Picoult (for the category: a popular author’s first book)

32. The education of little tree- Asa Earl Carter (for the category: a book at the bottom on your to-read list)….recommended to me at the DI 

33. Anne of Green Gables- L. M. Montgomery (for the category: a book your mom loves)

34. Sting- Sandra Brown (for the category: a book that scares you)

35. The book of Joy- Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams (for the category: a book based entirely on its cover)

 36. Not that kind of girl- Lena Dunham (for the category: a memoir)

37. Two by two- Nicholas Sparks (for the category: a book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit)

38. Matilda- Roald Dahl (for the category: a book that came out the year you were born)

39. Alice’s adventures in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll (for the category: a book with bad reviews)

40-42. The Matched series- Ally Condie (for the category: a trilogy)

43. Stuart Little- E. B. White (for the category: a book from your childhood)

44. To all the boys I’ve loved- Jenny Han (for the category: a book with a love triangle)

45. Delirium- Lauren Oliver (for the category: a book set in the future)

46. The color purple- Alice Walker (for the category: a book with a color in the title)

47. Jacob T. Marley- R. William Bennett (for the category: a book set during Christmas)

48. Harry Potter and the cursed child- J. K. Rowling (for the category: a play)

49. Brave new world- Aldous Huxley (for the category: a banned book)

50. Friday night lights- Buzz Bissinger (for the category: a book based on or turned into a TV show)

51. I am Malala- Christina Lamb & Malala Yousafzai (for the category: a book you started, but never finished)

52. Miss Peregrine’s home for peculiar children- Ransom Riggs (for the category: a book with magic)                  

 

Out of all of the books I read the second half of this year, my favorites are (in no particular order):

Anne of Green Gables

Talking as fast as I can

The matched series 

Harry Potter and the cursed child

 

Overall, my favorite was either Anne of Green Gables or Talking as fast as I can. I read both this month though, so they are still fresh in my mind. 

Next year, my reading goal is going to be a little bit different, but I’m excited! Have you read any of the books I listed above? If so, what were your favorites? 

11.16

I distinctly remember this time last year. I was feeling bad about the way things were and struggling to feel happy in my everyday life. In an ordinary conversation, my friend mentioned that she wrote down a few things about the day every night. Instantly I had this idea that I was going to buy a weekly planner and use it as a daily happiness journal. From there I decided my focus of the year was going to be finding ordinary happiness and changing the way I thought. I was so excited about this concept and that excitement has carried me through all year. I have one month left of 2016 and I can honestly look back and say it's been a good year. Nothing has really improved by any means, but I feel like a different person. My happiness journey has come so far, but really it's only beginning. 31 days left and I feel really good about where I am...

Go to the temple 24 times: I have been 22 times. This month I took advantage of working so close to the Salt Lake temple and went on my lunch break, it's been so nice! 

Run a half marathon: Done, done, and done. This month I ran my first official 5k (haha) and registered for my first half marathon for next year! 

Run at least 200 miles: I don't even want to talk about this one for this month. I ran a whopping 8.5 miles in November. Embarrassing. But I've ran over 800 for the year. 

Travel somewhere new: Not this month. But we already have plans set in motion for next year! This one seriously has me heart eyes. 

Get a job that uses my Master's Degree: I am still head over heels with my BYUI job! 

Buy a house: This could potentially be a goal for next year, I don't know. 

Become foster parents: We can't foster now, but are very seriously reconsidering for October when our lease is up. We talk about which way we want to "buy a baby" (it's a joke people) and feel foster care may be the best option for us in becoming parents. 

2016 reading goal: I'm on book 48, so 5 left for those of you who are counting. I am getting so close! If you need me, I'll be reading. 

November goals:

Read 5 books and go to the temple 3 times. --------> goals accomplished! 

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There's 31 more days of 2016, crazy right? But that's plenty of time to make and accomplish a goal. If you want something to change, you have to change it. 

31 more days of 2016, what are you going to do with them? 

10.16 Review

And just like that October is over. Somehow there are only TWO more months of 2016...TWOOO! HOW???

I'm not going to lie, I am overly excited for 2017 and may have already started goal setting.....but, let's stick to the present.

This month was SO good! October 1st I ran a freaking marathon. I still can't even believe it happened. I worked so hard and it wasn't easy, but now I can say I've done it! I didn't have a goal time, just a goal to finish, but I kind of also wanted to get under 5 hours. I ended up finishing with a time of 5:09 and initially I was a little disappointed, but now I'm just proud.

I spent pretty much all of my free time with my family, which was wonderful. My sister Khemia came to Utah for a two week visit and I soaked it all up! Fall is my favorite so it was wonderful sharing it with my family. I wouldn't have changed a minute of how I spent my time while she was here...unless I would've spent more time with her, but....I didn't go well with my goals. And that is OKAY! Some months are really great and productive and others just aren't; it's called balance. At any rate, here's where I stand 10 months into 2016:

Go to the temple 24 times: I have been 19 times, so I am still one behind. Ever since I went to the Provo City Center open house in March I have been saying that I want to go back and do a session and this month I was finally able to do so. This temple has quickly become my favorite; it is SO beautiful inside!

Run a half marathon: This month I ran my 5th half marathon of the year! (in addition to the St George Marathon) On Saturday I ran the Provo Haunted Half and I loved it! The course was beautiful and it was fun to see everyone running in their costumes.

Run at least 200 miles: I should've changed this goal months ago, but oh well. I am at 796 miles for the year. This month my mileage was pretty low, but I needed some time to rest up. I have one more race this year and then I wil start thinking about what I will do next year. Favorite half marathons...anyone??

Travel somewhere new: Not this month. Although Mike and I have never been to St George together, so that was new. But stay tuned for when I post about my travel goals for next year. They have me tremendously excited and giddy!

Get a job that uses my Master's Degree: I accepted another semester contract with BYU-I. I have enjoyed teaching so much and hope one day to do it as my primary job.

Buy a house: Which turned into: rent a duplex. If you had asked me a month ago if we were going to buy next year when our lease is up, I would've said yes, but now I think we're good here for awhile.

Become foster parents: I've already written about how we can't foster with my current job. We talked about maybe fostering next year, but Mike works with foster kids and isn't sure if he wants it to be his full life, so we'll see. I'm not ready to give up that easily.

2016 reading goal: This was my ultimate focus this month. I made it a goal to read 5 books, which I was able to do. I am on book #43! I getting towards the end of my list and finding books is starting to get hard, but I am so close!


November goals:

Read 5 books and go to the temple 3 times.

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Every month I find myself more and more amazed at how happy I can be even though my circumstances haven't really changed. It's amazing that by simply changing your attitude, you can start to see all you have and appreciate it for what it is. This year's happiness challenge has empowered me and taught me to shoot for the moon. I've learned how important it is to take care of myself and to embrace all the things that make me who I am.

If you're interested in reading about having joy regardless of your circumstance, check out this talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng

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I dare you to set a goal for the next two months, crush it, and then see how good you feel!

9.16

Holy moly! September is already over! I say it every month, but this year has seriously FLOWN by! September was a busy month, a whirlwind; both good and draining! I was busy every weekend and felt like I didn't have much downtime, but I was able to do some fun things! 

Highlights from September: I ran the Big Cottonwood Half-Marathon and got a new PR, I enjoyed a birthday hike up to Willow Heights, I went to the State Fair with my family, Oktoberfest with my family, had a JJ camp reunion, went up to Millcreek Canyon multiple times, drove the Alpine Loop with Trevor and David, and my sister-in-law got married.

I really only have two goals left that I can work on finishing up before the end of the year, so I will start prioritizing them a little more than I have been. 

As I said, I ran a half marathon in September, so my total for the year so far is 4. 

No new traveling in September, just getting so anxious for our cruise in January! 

My running total for the year is 759 miles

I started teaching in September and I LOVE it! I always forget how much I love teaching until I start doing it again! I definitely want to do it again next semester and will probably apply to teach two classes starting next fall. I feel fulfilled knowing I am using my master's degree, which makes it all even better. 

I have attended the temple 17 times so I am behind by one trip. I am hoping to go three times this month. I did go to the SL temple in September which I haven't done in years, so that was pretty cool. I also FINALLY bought a new temple dress with some birthday money and I 100% regret not buying one sooner. Having a comfortable temple dress makes such a huge difference! 

My reading goal is coming along okay. I am behind with it, but only by about 3 books. I will have to read an average of 5 books a month for the next 3 months to finish on time, but that should be manageable. 

Goals not fulfilled this year:

I was really hoping we would be able to foster, we had talked about it and planned on starting the process around this time. With my job, I am not able to foster as it is a conflict of interest. I was so disappointed when I found that out. We are looking at some other options which I am sure I will blog about at some point. 

We had also hoped to buy a house this year. We figured we were both done with school and had the potential to get better paying jobs and the ability to "move up in the world". It took us too long to get jobs and since Mike is still building up his client base, we decided this was no longer realistic for this year. We are moving into a duplex and hope that maybe this time next year we can buy. The good news is we will be saving a lot of money, so maybe we will get to travel some more instead! 

This year really has been a good year. Every month when I sit down to blog about my progress, I am reminded how much I have really tried to stick with all of my goals; the ones listed and my overall goal of creating a happier lifestyle. I have learned that happiness is a choice and it is my choice. My life is far from perfect and not at all what I had planned it to be, but I am still happy because I choose to be and because I purposefully do things that make me happy. I have learned to do things on my own and to find people who like the same things as me. I don't hold myself back from opportunities. I don't sit around waiting for tomorrow or for the weekend. I take a few minutes everyday to think about all the things from the day that made me happy. All of these things have truly changed the way I see things. I wasn't unhappy before this year, but I can truly say that I am happier. 

It's never too late to start making the choice to be happy.