Being Aware

Life can slip right past us.  That's where the idea for a 2013 Jar of Happy came from.  That's a work in progress name, it make be changed. But the premise (thank you pinterest) is to have a mason jar, and every time something fun happens, you do something enjoyable, you write it down and put it in the jar. Then at the end of the year, New Years Eve 2013, you pour the jar out and remember all the amazing things you did that year.

Of course you're going to remember your birthdays, your anniversary, big special events - but I'm trying to write the smaller day to day happenings that bring a smile to my face.  The things 333 days from now I won't recall.  Such as earlier in the month: I had been talking for 2 months about going to see This is 40. I thought it looked awesome! So one night Francel surprised me by having it so we could watch at home and got cold stone ice cream! Movie and ice cream night? Awesome! It was so fun and relaxing getting to watch at home - and ice cream is a big treat!

Would I remember that 10 months from now? Probably not.  Will I be excited to relive how we couldn't stop laughing at things that weren't even funny most of the movie now that I jotted it down and tossed it in the jar? Yes.

I hope I can keep it up.  Jot down your happy moments and toss them on a container.  New Years Resolution.  Track your happy :)

Speaking of New Years Resolutions.  We're going to break them into smaller goals.

True Fact:

Smaller goals are easier to reach and make the large goal less daunting.

Most people set goals in January and bail on them by February.  I'm setting a few in February and hopefully will succeed at them by March.  Month goals - yearly goals are scary.

This month is a little different that most months in that MY SISTER IS COMING TO VISIT!!!
AND I"M SOOOOOO EXCITED!

Carrie is coming to see me the last week of February and I cannot wait!  I am also moving this month so packing everything up once again.  Hopefully it'll be the last move for a while.

But alas, my goals for February:

Money: Don't spend it.
How we accomplish this: Don't eat out.  Pack lunches. No unnecessary purchases.

Health: 5 vegan days a week.
How we accomplish this: Dairy is pretty easy to avoid when you pack your own meals. Meal planning

Exercise: 5 workouts a week. At least of them as AM workouts.
How we accomplish this: 5 out of 7 isn't that bad a way to start.  Support is key too. Thank goodness for that fit loving boyfriend.  I'd like everyday to be a morning workout eventually, but we're taking baby steps.

Time Management: Try it!
How we accomplish this: Don't procrastinate.  Set aside time and use it wisely.  I am super good at planning in my planner, I just need to follow it.


So those are my February goals.  I'll let you know how it's going in a week.

Oh and when it works guess what we're motivating ourselves for?

BATHING SUIT WEATHER!

Everyone has goals January 1st

But it's February 1st when you really see who is sticking to them...come March? There isn't a soul left at the gym.  Not that that is everyone's goal - but quite a few people.

This week is exam week, which of course is also known as brain-drain-find-anything-to-distract-you-from-finals week.  I've been finding inspiration in places I never thought I would lately and I'm excited.  There are some great things coming up and some great things that have just past and I hope to share them.  My blogging skills have been quite horrible, but through my english class this semester I've really started to love writing again.  That being said I'm going to try my best to do my best at this blogging business. But I'm not going to organize and be crazy, i'm going to take baby steps and go from there :)

A lot has changed in the past few months. I, as well as my group of friends, are all adjusting to a new normal - a new way of being and living that no one would have suspected just months ago.  I have had incredible amounts of kindness extended towards me and have been blown away by a powerful love. I have learned so much about hardship and relationships and friendship and honesty and true happiness.  I have learned a ton in both class and life.

I will be in Canada a week tomorrow for quite a while and hope to get this place up to scruff.  I am so excited to see my family, my friends, my puppies and my home.

I'm going to leave you today with this quote, which has been playing on my heart a lot these past few days :

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living!

Edited:

I'm back! and it's the same day and I'm still thinking about the same thing - goals.  I just looked through my old bucket list and many of them still hold true - unfortunately.  I would love to pay off my debt, but I haven't yet.  I got caught up in the incredible life of Disney CRPs once again, and didn't save. I would love to run the Disney Marathon, and this time with my training buddy we plan to accomplish that - January 2014! I have a lot of different goals now as well though.  Many revolve around school, career, self improvement, health and family.

Everyone starts their goals in January.  Who wants to cut out alcohol or cookies right before Christmas? Not this girl! So we shall see.

I've always been a planner and a lot of that is taking place lately.  I am starting to focus on healthy breakfasts to power me up for the day, and getting to bed earlier so when those AM workouts begin it won't be such an intense turn around. One thing is for sure - having someone at my side through the entire thing is going to be incredible motivation and help when I don't want to go for a run or I really want ketchup chips!

Okay, to be honest, I don't think ketchup chips are going to get cut.  They are such an anomaly since moving here. However we have been sharing the same bag for like 2 weeks now and it's not gone - if that's not will power I don't know what is.

We also have talked a lot about the importance of home cooked, healthy meals.  The produce section is going to be my eternal best friend, and we're going to see how long we can go without those middle aisles of the grocery store!

I have a lot to save for, and even more to pay off. When you think about a future you don't want to be dragging along extra baggage that it is possible to be rid of just through hard work and smart spending.

My goals haven't changed but my motivations are stronger and based on more than just myself.

Health.
Happiness.
Financial Stability.
Graduation.
Career.

Although career starts before graduation occurs.  In April. The end of April? ASAP!

Not working for a year because of visa requirements? That, my friends, is an entire post of it's own.

Up next: My Disney Christmas Extravaganza...