New Year, New Blog, New Me?

I have found many interesting thoughts going through my head as I begin this blog and this new year. I have never been really big at new year's resolutions, or even at setting goals. As I have been working on getting my thoughts in order to begin this blog, and because of the great talks on Sunday at church, I have been thinking about who I really am and what is really important to me. What do I want to spend my time and energy on this year? What will be of greatest worth? 

I went looking for different backgrounds to decorate my blog. There were lots to choose from and it was interesting to consider who I really am and how I want others to see me. I'm not sure I made the correct choice, but since I have been doing a lot of sewing and quilting lately, I thought bolts of fabric were representative of me right now. 

Now for some larger questions.... What do I hope to accomplish this coming year? How am I going to create balance in my life and make sure I am not spending a lot of time doing things that don't matter? I am very good at getting caught in time wasting traps and getting to the end of a day wondering where all the time went! I am going to make a plan for my days and work at sticking to it so that I have productive things to show at the end of each day. 

These are the areas I am going to work on, and some specifics to start with -

Spiritual - Personal scripture study and prayer to begin and end my days. It will mean getting up a few minutes earlier and taking time before I go to bed, but I know the time is there. I will read the New Testament in the morning and the Book of Mormon at bedtime.

Physical - Exercise and eat healthy. As soon as Mark and Carolyn leave for school/work in the mornings, I will spend 20 minutes exercising and planning healthy meals for the day. I will also drink a glass of water before eating anything. I have a bad habit of walking into the kitchen, opening the fridge and finding something to eat, not because I'm hungry, just because it's a habit. Hopefully getting a drink of water will replace that habit.

Educational - I am going to call writing this blog my educational goal for now. I am going to learn how to add things to it and make it better all the time. I can do a lot of research online, and I also have some great friends who can help me make it better too. I am also going to learn how to back up and update my iphone. There is no reason that I can't do that by myself.

Other - There are many projects around the house, and sewing, crafting ones that I have started, or that need to get done. I will spend some time each day working on at least on of these projects until they are all finished. Along with projects, each day I need to spend some time doing some cleaning/organizing in my house. I have the time, now I just need to use it wisely.

There! I think that is a great beginning, and hopefully not too overwhelming. I feel like if I can get myself more organized I can be a more productive and happy person!  Above all, I want to live my life with joy! I want to feel good about myself and look for the good every day!

Cheers!

Carol