Resolved: Firm in Purpose or Intent; Determined

(source)

I have to admit. Up until just a few minutes ago, I thought the word resolved had a completely different meaning. Per Dictionary.com, the word means: Firm in purpose or intent; determined. I thought it essentially meant giving up. Boy, was I wrong but I'm glad I discovered its true meaning because wow - what a great word! It perfectly fits my current state of mind. I love it when things like this happen - they make you feel as though you are on the right path and your sights are set on the all the right things.

For the past week and a half, I've really made an effort to be more spontaneous, which if you know me, you know it goes against everything I'm about. In all honesty, it feels foreign, uncomfortable and well, unnerving at times but I think it's exactly what I need to come to grips with the idea that I can't and shouldn't control every aspect of my life.

I've also been busy making better choices in my diet, drinking more water and taking a multi-vitamin and fish oil tablet every morning. It's funny because none of these things are on my Twelve by 2012 so why am I finally making changes that I've been trying to make for what seems like forever? The only answer that makes any sense to me is that I'm (finally) resolved to do what's right for me. (enter cheesy Toyota commercial-like jump in the air)

The best news is that within just a few days of making these seemingly small changes, I've really noticed some definite changes. I feel SO much better; my energy level is back where it should be and even my hair seems healthier...(ok, that last one may just be wishful thinking) My state of mind has been consistently positive - probably because I don't feel helpless or frustrated anymore. (BIG step) And I'm feeling hopeful and optimistic.

I'm excited about two new books that I ordered online - the first one is called The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Program for Getting Pregnant & Having a Baby by Randine Lewis and Freedom from PCOS by Katie Humphrey - I already read a couple chapters of Katie's book last night - it's so great to finally read a book written by someone who actually has PCOS - in it, she shares what she did to cure herself of the symptoms caused by PCOS without medication or birth control pills - I predict I'll finish reading it by the end of the weekend.  

LH and I will hopefully begin training next week for our very first 5k, The Coaster Run through Knott's Berry Farm in March. (Any takers?) We actually do a 5k every year in April to raise money for Autism but we've always walked it. At this stage in the game, I'd probably last just a few blocks before cramping up and gasping for air so I've definitely got my work cut out for me. We also plan to go shopping for running shoes this weekend because you've got to have the proper running gear, right?

So...What are you up to?
(I'd love to hear all about it!)


Enjoy the day!
Missy

Going Solo and the Art of Doing Something

This past Sunday, I managed to complete one of my Twelve by 2012 items. (Yay!) I went to the movies solo for the very first time. It wasn't planned - I had left the house fully committed to going to Barnes & Noble but then I remembered the gift card I had spotted in my wallet the night before and thought, "Why not?"

I ended up seeing, How Do You Know with Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd. (I give it a B-) I wish I could say it was fun to go it alone but several times I found myself feeling restless and wishing LH was there with me but at least I can say I did it, right? One item on the list down, only eleven more to go!

For the past couple of days, I had been feeling some pain in my right ear and then on Sunday night I didn't sleep a wink. Every time I got settled in, the pain would set in. I haven't had an ear ache like this in years - the kind that doesn't allow you to sleep and prevents you from watching television or listening to music.

The house was quiet. Sunny and Quincy were napping, as usual and I managed to lay in bed for a few hours after calling in sick but then I got restless - as I usually do when I'm attempting to do nothing. So I got up and out of bed, determined to do something.

So crazy me spent the better part of yesterday tackling a project I had been wanting to finish forever: cleaning out and spiffing up my home office. Better known as my spot to sometimes write, wrap, create and work from home.

I went through every drawer, shelf and nook filing things away and eliminating one potential piece of clutter at a time. The best part was after finishing a drawer and determining it's permanent contents, I got to use my brand-new, handy-dandy label maker to identify its contents. (Thanks AA!)  It came out rather nice, I must say but I'm sure the real trick will be to keep it that way. 

So far I'm feeling pretty confident about finishing my Twelve by 2012. To get the ball rolling on completing my second item, I emailed the contact person at Habitat for Humanity and I'm looking forward to planning a possible trip for LH and I to San Francisco. Cleaning up my home office wasn't even on my official list but it really feels great to finally check this task off my day to day to do list. I guess all I needed was an ear ache.

Check out My Own Kind of Beautiful's Twelve by 2012!

Enjoy the day!

Missy

(Caffeine-free for 2 whole days!)

My Twelve by 2012

 

 1. Double number of blog posts from 2010

2. Learn how to make a quilt

3. Explore San Francisco (Golden State Bridge, Alcatraz, etc.)

4. Train for and Finish a 5k

5. Go to the movies solo (1/08)

6. Find a writing mentor

7. Participate in the Pay it Forward Project

8. Help Build a Habitat for Humanity Home

9. Plan and execute a fund raising event to benefit Autism Speaks

10. Submit articles to at least 6 fave magazines

11. Eliminate caffeine (coke, pepsi and coffee)

12. Finish My Dream Board

 

The Pay It Forward Project
is the brainchild of a fellow blogger, Miss Conception

Official Rules: 
I promise to send something

handmade to the first 3 people who leave a comment.

To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,

offering the same thing to 3 other people.

Items must be handmade by you and

they must be sent to your 3 people sometime in 2011

Enjoy the Day! 

Missy

Won't you join me?

I'm ready. Ready for new beginnings.

I'm giddy with anticipation. Like a child, I'm unable to think of anything else. I've opened myself up to the newness of 2011 and all of the possibilities it holds for me and my marriage...and for you.

I'm determined to keep my sights on looking ahead instead of looking back. And looking forward to the new experiences I am committing myself (publicly) to try - the new foods I will savor (or maybe not), the places I will see for the first time and fall in love with (as I usually do!) and the new people I will inevitably meet and get to know. (What fun!) With this new awakening, I am armed with a true sense of confidence that fills my soul right up to the brim. And with my quirky and not-always-reliable camera in my hip pocket, I will capture every moment.

With all of you by my side, I will accomplish everything on my list: Twelve by 2012 and I will document every step. No more doubting myself or my abilities - and no more excuses. I am just like you. I'm hopeful, yet insecure. Forward-thinking, yet always afraid to make the first step. I pray for things to happen but also prepare myself for them not to. Starting now, I will continue to pray but I am also determined to finally take the driver's seat in my own life, instead of feeling like a polite passenger in someone else's vehicle.

I have the power to make good things happen. And so do you. Won't you join me?  

Enjoy the day!
Missy

Twelve by 2012

With the New Year here, I've been thinking a lot about what I'm learning and what I want this year to hold, and not just for me but for my marriage, for my family and for my friends. If I could wave a magic wand to instantly make everyone's life perfect in every way, I would but that is just not possible.

We all have hurdles we have to jump, disasters to clean-up after, mistakes to fix and painful experiences to overcome but even in the midst of our pain and sadness, there is always that glimmer of hope - shining in the background, just waiting to come to the forefront - when we are ready.

Until then, there are friends to talk to, to cut loose with and to feel comforted by. There are beautiful sunsets and sunrises to watch in awe, movies to produce laughter, books to promote growth and family members to love, support and guide us every step of the way. And most importantly, there is God's unwavering love and commitment to us - individually and uniquely - for us. And last but certainly not least - there's hope. Hope is something we all need to learn to grasp tightly to. Hope is necessary when you are in the middle of a crisis because it's what allows us to continue on, move forward and step out of the darkness that sometimes floods our thoughts, our outlook, our world.

In many ways, the struggles and the triumphs we face - these are the moments that bind us together. They are like little tests of our love for each other. They teach us all about pain and suffering but also they teach us valuable lessons. Lessons that we probably wouldn't learn otherwise. Like humility, grace, patience and most importantly, the know-how to help and support others, even strangers, through their own tragedy, pain and grief. And they help us to really truly feel joy when the opportunity presents itself. 

It's easy to feel overwhelmed, lost and even broken but I'm learning that God puts specific people in your life for a reason. And once you allow the love and encouragement of those people in, it is most definitely possible to break through all of the negative feelings and find true peace of mind. Through others. That's the key - at least for me. Through all of you - my husband, my family and friends. You are the reason I am able to love, laugh, sing, dance, explore and live life. You are my god-send, my peace of mind and my biggest source of inspiration.

With all of this said, I wanted to inspire myself and hopefully some of you to make this year the best ever! So...I have an idea:

Let's invest some time to really figure out what we want out of life, determine what we want and need out of our relationships. Figure out how we can make changes in ourselves in order to be better wives, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends. And while we are at it, identify the bad habits we've been kicking around for years and break them for good. Best of all, let's make it our mission to try new things, explore new places, taste new foods, capture more moments and encourage everyone around us to join in on all of the fun we are bound to have.

I am going to use the next couple of days to come up with a list of things 12 things that I want to accomplish by 2012 and they will include experiences, tastes, places, books, movies and anything else I can think of. I'm going to keep them very specific and I'll try to accomplish one per month. Don't be afraid to be inventive and creative - really think outside the box. Here are a few cool sites and tools to help us get started!

How to make a Dream Board
How to Get Inspired
Find out What You Want To Do With Your Life

If you do decide to join me, I'd love to see and hear all about your Twelve by 2012! Please feel free to share your thoughts, ideas and especially your progress with me/us!

I'll be sure to post my official list on Monday!
Have a great day!

Enjoy the Day!
Missy