For some strange reason there became a tradition long before you + or i were on this earth of what a new year represented. It's new memories + new beginnings + a new start. i've spent my whole life writing down goals i wanted to achieve. Assured that since it's a new year it would be WAY easier to complete them than if i started them the week before. Guilty pleasure number one: i love reading. I'll read all day if i could. i love the fairytales, the romances, but i LOVE the newspaper + biographies + life stories even more. When i tell people i want to learn about them and their life, it's the truth. As i began to read the news the morning of the new year (my mind filled with high hopes of the huge list of goals i had began to store) i came to an article about setting goals. Plain and simple, the statistics for success of goal makers was low, REAL low. The optimistic article basically stated it was pointless.
A little offended by these tiny words on this thin paper, i sat and thought. i had made my goals lists since i was little and wasn't ready to give that up + but this year, i decided to do it a little differently. i took some advice from the article (i don't think it's exactly what it was saying, but reading between the lines is always better right?) i was going to make a goals list, but it is far different than any list i have made before. With the help of the article + some great ideas from other readings i have my goals list with a limit of 3. A week late, but i have it. (luckily being on time isn't on it)
1. explore my HOME
i have spent my whole life with a desire to travel. Anywhere and everywhere. i loved to learn about different cultures + people. i am fascinated by the history + the scenery. This summer i meant someone that told me there is no need to travel, because we have so much to discover all around us. As you might guess i was completely offended. He might as well have taken my dream + some dirty shoes and stomped all over it. After a little thought though, i had a SMALL change of heart. How much have i looked passed exploring because it is so near that it doesn't seem like an adventure. i look out my window every morning to see these glorious mountains filled with lakes + trails + who knows what else. Plus i am a huge fan of road trips i have a map + i'm 23 + i have a car. Why haven't i put those three together before. Don't get me wrong, i would hop on a plane and head anywhere in the world if i get the chance, but my goal this year is to explore my home.
2. B+B
i read an amazing blog by my sister (http://www.theparrishplaceblog.com/) about simplifying. Based on the length of this post i feel like i am already failing... (always room for improvement, right). Living in the third world country has made me realize how much crap (excuse the language) i add to my life + how much i take for granted. Things i will focus on: simple blessings (like running water or seats with cushions) + the gospel + my family + temples + friends. Don't stress so much about all the extras. They will come + they will pass. Go Back to the Basics.
3. Be Selfish
Yep. Jaw dropper + conceded. Wait just a minute before you judge me completely + this is going to be tricky to say + i hope i don't say it wrong. Every year i see so many people add "lose XX pounds" (usually a ridiculous number) + "stop eating sugar" (impossible... well for me) + "workout 20x a week" (okay maybe exaggerated a bit) to their goals list. I know because i have filled my own goals charts with them myself. While these all are very respectable and good goals... they set you up for failure. So many young + old + teens focus on their body and what they look like. They think that if they lose 10 pounds or fit into those size 3 jeans their life will be different. It won't. Your life changes by your attitude + what you decide every day. Don't say you won't eat sugar, because you will. My recommendation for myself + whoever else wants a challenge. Eat for your body + not for your mind. ( i mean this literally. there are so many diets out there, but just like goal number 2. keep it basic. that's it. that's the best diet out there. the more ingredients it has the worst it is for you. stick the greens and you'll become lean. haha but don't make it a big deal if you eat an ice cream cone, even if it is the large. move on and focus on the next day.) Exercise for you + your health, not because you're worried what your neighbor thinks about you + don't exercise in a way that you hate. If you don't like running + try biking. Then be brave + be bold. Put all that focus that you are putting on trying to resist that cookie or worrying about what others are thinking and put it on something that you want to try or to do today + this moment. Test out that three seconds of courage. I Dare You.
