2009 Motto: Pursue Passions, Keep Connected, Love Life

As I write this blog, I am well on my way to successfully accomplishing at least one of my New Year's Resolutions/Goals...Yep, I've vowed to blog on a weekly basis for the rest of 2009. Something that I have wanted to do, but lacked the discipline to achieve in 2008.

It's such a same that I struggle to make time for the things in life that are so rewarding and therapeutic. I love writing, reflecting, and of course sharing my life with others. And it is my earnest desire that 2009 will provide ample time to do just this!

I'm not going to bore you with all 11 of my goals (odd number, I know), but would love to share my 2009 motto, which is basically a combination of the common themes I observed in my goals.

So, without further ado...
2009 Motto: Pursue Passions, Keep Connected, Love Life!

Pursue Passions - I like to believe that I'm a pretty passionate person. And it escapes me how I've gone this long (almost 25 years) without focusing more on my passions. So, this year I am going to fervently pursue the things that drive me, the things that create an overabundance of joy in me, the things that consume my thoughts.

If you know anything about me, you probably are aware that I LOVE (is there a stronger verb?) traveling. It gets me going. Every part of it...researching destinations, planning minute details, stepping foot upon uncharted territories, observing other cultures, trying new foods, adventurous excursions, and especially the freedom and possibilities that lie within. Thus, if I were a betting woman, which I'm not, I'd say that I'll end up overseas sooner or later. But, in the meantime, I have trips planned to LA, Park City, UT, Boston, and possibly Costa Rica and Paris this year. So, I think I'm well on my way with this passion.

Other passions include playing the piano, health and fitness, and of course dancing! So, I have plans to focus on each of these in the coming months!

Keep Connected - Meaningful relationships are essential to who I am. I love connecting with people. I love learning about others, pouring into them, creating strong bonds and seeing both individuals flourish as a result. I count myself incredibly blessed to have so many strong friendships and intimate bonds with the amazing people God has brought in my life! And I have realized that since I have graduated college, life just gets busier each year (which = less time) and God continually adds people to my life. This is quite the conundrum, but a good one that I'm not going to complain about. Therefore, I have made part of my motto about relationships and want to do a better job of evaluating my relationships and pouring into the ones that are most beneficial (to both parties) and the ones that God leads me to. I'm slowly becoming ok with the fact that I CANNOT be bff's with everyone, haha...and realize that sometimes shallow friendships are beneficial in their own way.

This part of my motto is a double entendre. In order for me to be successful with the first meaning, I have to be deeply connected to God, the source of my passions and author of my life. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5. It is my hope to bear much fruit for the Lord in 2009, thus I must stay connected to the Tree of Life, the only source of true success and lasting joy!

Love Life - This is basically my take on being content despite what life may bring. Love it. Love the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. I know, i know...I'm an idealist at heart, but I can't stress enough how healthy this perspective has proven for me. We all traverse mountains and valleys in the course of our time on earth, and both are equally beneficial. Mountains give you hope, confidence, and happiness. Valleys teach humility, need, reality, strength and valuable life lessons. I mean, how exciting is hiking a flat path with no scaling views and daunting depths? Thus, I welcome them in 2009...

So, that's a wrap...but come back soon and hold me accountable to my weekly blogging goal! And...I appreciate you coming along on my adventures and welcome your feedback!

Live Your Dreams

"Live Your Dreams," that is my goal this year, my mantra, my battle cry. I set out in 2008 to move beyond the acceptable, to never settle for complacency and to strive for the adventure that's promised in living life to the fullest.

So far, I feel I've made some decent strides - I have resurrected a childhood dream of playing the piano and dove headfirst into a travel writing class to see if the marriage of my two loves (travel & writing) could coexist in a healthy and fruitful manner. I've also had the opportunity to satiate my strong appetite for good food and new restaurants through a secret diner rating program. All while simultaneously planning my "big trip" to Scandinavia this year. Whew...just writing this makes me tired.

In just the first five months of "living my dreams" I have learned a lot about myself and how much it really requires of a person to do this. It's funny that doing what you love/want requires sacrifice. Guess it's true for all things. I've sacrificed sleep, time with friends, money, sleep, and other "good" things in striving for my "best." I have a newfound appreciation for ambition, goals, success and all they entail.

I guess I can look at the first half of this year of actualization and be happy with my progress, all the while knowing that the race is not over, the prize is not won, and look forward to the next seven months. As it turns out, "Living Your Dreams" is not a sprint, but a marathon...and I will press on and relish the journey!