Lessons From Friends

As I look back on this post from over 6 years ago, I'm rejuvenated and inspired.  I realize how much I've changed and grown.  My goals today originate internally instead of externally. I have more passion to reach my goals because they are deep seated desires that come from my life's purpose. This makes it much easier to sustain and obtain. 

And yet there are some parts that are still me. I have the same goal setting mindset. I'm still growing. I'm still learning. I now have a better grasp on myself and my motivations. 

Hello! I hope this finds you brimming with good cheer. If not, put the kettle on and brew up your favorite tea. I had a nice visit this afternoon with my neighbor and her visiting daughter. They are such a fun pair. I know I should visit my neighbor more often. She's a sassy lady who always seems to bring a smile to my face. And her daughter, though still slightly older than me, always seems to inspire me.

Beatles poster is now gone. :(

This time she lost over 30 lbs. by following a few healthy guidelines. It's so amazing that I have to share it with you. She started by using Fitbit. She'd make a step goal and then surpass it. At the same time, she changed her eating habits. She let go of the fancy coffees and went plain black. She said no to the rich desserts and only took a small piece on special occasions. But mainly she walked and walked until she was over her goal. Then she upped her goal.

I'm so in such awe of this smart, intelligent woman who took control of her health. And I wonder what I can learn from her success. First thing I think I can learn is to really make a goal. I have a goal on my pedometer, but sometimes I think I'm happy getting close to my goal. I make excuses for myself. That's not the way to be successful. I need to pick a reasonable goal and then surpass it and then up it.

I already avoid coffee unless black and avoid sugar. But I can eat much more vegetables and fruits and less grains and even my homemade bread. I can get healthier food at the store instead of what looks quick and easy.

Sometimes, I seem to make excuses for myself. "Well, your back hurts."  "You've had a long day at work." Blah, blah, blah. I can come up with anything for an excuse. But I need to think of my neighbor's daughter. She didn't let excuses stop her from moving toward her goals and I shouldn't either. I hope this blog has had you thinking about your goals, whatever they are. I hope you find renewed energy to take your goals one step further. The happiness I've seen from someone progressing toward their goals has definitely inspired me toward better goal monitoring. I hope it does you, too.

What Resolutions Really Mean

I don't think I could keep a New Year's resolution for my life. If my past is any indication, I can't. So this year, I'm not really trying. I think the problem is that resolutions involve good intentions. Now there's nothing wrong with good intentions. It's just too easy to over look those intentions. Like I should do the dishes tonight is my good intention. But I get sidetracked by my favorite television show, messages on Facebook and playing Candy Crush. Oops, I didn't do the dishes. Good intentions get you nowhere.

Reality check time; it takes 21 days for a habit to form. That habit can be good or bad. Although sometimes I think bad habits don't take so long to develop. So if you want to change your eating habits or how often you exercise, then you'd better set up a schedule for 3 weeks at the beginning. And then realize that 3 weeks will be difficult. But if you persevere those 21 days, it will be much easier.

These shouldn't be called resolutions, they should be called goals. Goals have an end result along with a plan on how to get there. Goals are measurable and require periodic checks on how you are progressing. And they can be altered. Resolutions seems like fluff when compared to real goals.

Now I guess I'll share my goal for 2018 with you. I plan to write more. That's it. Write more. Not write everyday. I've already blown that. Hey, some days I just don't have anything to say or am too busy living to write. I know that I can write more than last year, though. And I will. So let me take this time to thank you for reading. Please share some of your goals or past resolutions. I think we could all gain some insight from successes and failures of others.