Goalie!
This is my New Year post - because it truly feels like a New Year now that school has started again.
I decided to yank this from
elle_cosette's journal. I'm reviewing last year and proposing changes for the new. Watch me go!
Spiritual: Though I am definitely going through one of the trickiest portions of life to-date, I feel peaceful about my conduct and aspirations. I still bang my head against personal pride, and I haven't quite kicked the frustrating habit of asking "why do I have to do this?" instead of "what should I be doing better?" But my words and my thoughts are about the gospel, and how to better live it. My life has changed, and continues to with each prayer and personal reflection.
Goals: Prepare for a mission. Study Preach My Gospel and learn what it means to be a full-time missionary and a member missionary. I will need this knowledge whether I am called to go or not. Gordon B has made it clear that the next generation of saints will be a generation of missionaries. I will need to teach those future missionaries. I am taking a Missionary Preparation class this semester, and will be reflecting continually on whether or not the Lord would have me go. Keep reading every day. Pray twice a day. Fast sincerely and don't let go of goals - even though some may be painful to reflect on right now.
Physical: This year I have kicked myself back into the habit of physical exercise. During the spring I got back into running, and kept it up even when I went to London, running every week in Kensington Park, rain or shine. Several times rain. Dang, I even went running when we went on our cruise in August. I definitely feel happier when I 'cise. The semester I took off to work at home I kept up with the exercise bike because I am a wimp in the cold weather. Now I do yoga almost every morning before I get off to school - I just have to pick the right positions to keep up with the aerobic side of things. I also love how being at school forces me to walk every day.
Goals: run faster! I am not the fastest runner. This year I want to run the 5k in less than 40 minutes. Also, as I exercise, I have been permitting myself more indulgences in the food I eat. This isn't bad, but I have let my standards slip a little. More leafy greens, please!
Mental/Intellectual: I have improved this semester, but school has definitely become a smaller priority than it was previously. I think this is a good balance; before I put too much weight on academic achievement and sometimes let other priorities slip. I think I found a medium that is happy.
Goals: I am in the habit of applying myself quite rigorously to my intellectual pursuits, but this year I hope to improve dramatically in the quality of my research. Because I intend to go to graduate school, I need to find out if I can be research-y enough for literature studies. I am considering getting two master's degrees - one in Literature and one in Creative Writing. Then I will know where to go with my PhD, Literature or CW. It will also open up my teaching prospects - many institutions still allow master's students to teach writing courses. If I have an MA and a PhD in Literature studies and an MA in Creative Writing, I can teach whatever I want! This year I plan on making two new contacts for Creative Writing and getting high As on at least one large research paper in each class. I also want to incorporate my intellectual abilities into my spiritual study. I plan to keep a journal of new insights into doctrine, using my abilities as a literature student to understand complex doctrine better, from polygamy to the second coming.
Emotional: This year I have traveled different places than I ever have emotionally. I have known great joys and deep disappointments. Yet my emotional maturity has improved; I now know where to turn to help me put them in their proper place in my life. I have discovered so many outlets and resources to help me understand my feelings, and the feelings of others as they affect my life in diverse ways. I have learned not to complain, to be grateful and happy, even in unhappy circumstances.
Goals: Be okay again. The sorrow is still tender, and my emotional state is not as constant as it can be. I want to be happy, not just grateful, not just optimistic, but truly full of joy for each day and each experience. I will do this by not only creating moments that will help me feel happier, exploring my interests and talents with new rigor, but I also will work hard to find joy in the moment. As Monson said, Live today, for it will not come again. I am grateful that I know I can be happy, truly filled and happy now. It is a promised gift.
Talents: I haven't written as much creatively this year! I have improved, but perhaps I need more discipline in this area. I have, however, improved my social skills. Working at Via helped me know how to treat people from all walks of life in all different conditions. I have learned to love at first sight - and to smile, talk, and ask people about themselves. I know what it is like to go through hardship - that has opened me up to a new level of compassion and sensitivity. I am better with people and how I spend my time. I am better organized - I know when to work and when to play. I know when it is time to go to bed and when it is time to get up. I think these things are talents and need attention just as much as painting, cooking, and drawing.
Goals: I want to write more and better. I plan on churning out one new chapter a month. I want to eventually apply to a graduate-level Creative Writing program, but I want a solid writing sample and good connections before I do. I will build these relationships in the coming year and start building up my repertoire. I am going to enter the Mayhew again this semester and submit three short stories to Children's magazines by the end of this year. Also that banjo of mine still needs plucking. I plan to learn one new chord - memorized with different finger pickings - each month. I think this will be a fun way to keep my mind busy - and it will get me ready to sing Beatles and Paul Simon songs with my kids!
Family: I became closer to my parents and sisters than I ever have been. I have a stronger testimony of the family and its importance in each person's eternal purpose and progression. I love family. I had the chance to practice my motherly skills while I was at home. I was able to grow closer to my Grandma Jensen and learn compassion and patience. It was a good year for family.
Goals: Continue to prepare to have my own family. Keep practicing relationship skills - forgiveness, listening, compassion. I want to be someone who is available for my family - keep practicing those time-management skills. All of the previous goals contribute to this goal, I am realizing. As I improve spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and work on my talents I will be a better mother, daughter, sister, and spouse. Hooray!
I decided to yank this from
elle_cosette's journal. I'm reviewing last year and proposing changes for the new. Watch me go!
Spiritual: Though I am definitely going through one of the trickiest portions of life to-date, I feel peaceful about my conduct and aspirations. I still bang my head against personal pride, and I haven't quite kicked the frustrating habit of asking "why do I have to do this?" instead of "what should I be doing better?" But my words and my thoughts are about the gospel, and how to better live it. My life has changed, and continues to with each prayer and personal reflection.
Goals: Prepare for a mission. Study Preach My Gospel and learn what it means to be a full-time missionary and a member missionary. I will need this knowledge whether I am called to go or not. Gordon B has made it clear that the next generation of saints will be a generation of missionaries. I will need to teach those future missionaries. I am taking a Missionary Preparation class this semester, and will be reflecting continually on whether or not the Lord would have me go. Keep reading every day. Pray twice a day. Fast sincerely and don't let go of goals - even though some may be painful to reflect on right now.
Physical: This year I have kicked myself back into the habit of physical exercise. During the spring I got back into running, and kept it up even when I went to London, running every week in Kensington Park, rain or shine. Several times rain. Dang, I even went running when we went on our cruise in August. I definitely feel happier when I 'cise. The semester I took off to work at home I kept up with the exercise bike because I am a wimp in the cold weather. Now I do yoga almost every morning before I get off to school - I just have to pick the right positions to keep up with the aerobic side of things. I also love how being at school forces me to walk every day.
Goals: run faster! I am not the fastest runner. This year I want to run the 5k in less than 40 minutes. Also, as I exercise, I have been permitting myself more indulgences in the food I eat. This isn't bad, but I have let my standards slip a little. More leafy greens, please!
Mental/Intellectual: I have improved this semester, but school has definitely become a smaller priority than it was previously. I think this is a good balance; before I put too much weight on academic achievement and sometimes let other priorities slip. I think I found a medium that is happy.
Goals: I am in the habit of applying myself quite rigorously to my intellectual pursuits, but this year I hope to improve dramatically in the quality of my research. Because I intend to go to graduate school, I need to find out if I can be research-y enough for literature studies. I am considering getting two master's degrees - one in Literature and one in Creative Writing. Then I will know where to go with my PhD, Literature or CW. It will also open up my teaching prospects - many institutions still allow master's students to teach writing courses. If I have an MA and a PhD in Literature studies and an MA in Creative Writing, I can teach whatever I want! This year I plan on making two new contacts for Creative Writing and getting high As on at least one large research paper in each class. I also want to incorporate my intellectual abilities into my spiritual study. I plan to keep a journal of new insights into doctrine, using my abilities as a literature student to understand complex doctrine better, from polygamy to the second coming.
Emotional: This year I have traveled different places than I ever have emotionally. I have known great joys and deep disappointments. Yet my emotional maturity has improved; I now know where to turn to help me put them in their proper place in my life. I have discovered so many outlets and resources to help me understand my feelings, and the feelings of others as they affect my life in diverse ways. I have learned not to complain, to be grateful and happy, even in unhappy circumstances.
Goals: Be okay again. The sorrow is still tender, and my emotional state is not as constant as it can be. I want to be happy, not just grateful, not just optimistic, but truly full of joy for each day and each experience. I will do this by not only creating moments that will help me feel happier, exploring my interests and talents with new rigor, but I also will work hard to find joy in the moment. As Monson said, Live today, for it will not come again. I am grateful that I know I can be happy, truly filled and happy now. It is a promised gift.
Talents: I haven't written as much creatively this year! I have improved, but perhaps I need more discipline in this area. I have, however, improved my social skills. Working at Via helped me know how to treat people from all walks of life in all different conditions. I have learned to love at first sight - and to smile, talk, and ask people about themselves. I know what it is like to go through hardship - that has opened me up to a new level of compassion and sensitivity. I am better with people and how I spend my time. I am better organized - I know when to work and when to play. I know when it is time to go to bed and when it is time to get up. I think these things are talents and need attention just as much as painting, cooking, and drawing.
Goals: I want to write more and better. I plan on churning out one new chapter a month. I want to eventually apply to a graduate-level Creative Writing program, but I want a solid writing sample and good connections before I do. I will build these relationships in the coming year and start building up my repertoire. I am going to enter the Mayhew again this semester and submit three short stories to Children's magazines by the end of this year. Also that banjo of mine still needs plucking. I plan to learn one new chord - memorized with different finger pickings - each month. I think this will be a fun way to keep my mind busy - and it will get me ready to sing Beatles and Paul Simon songs with my kids!
Family: I became closer to my parents and sisters than I ever have been. I have a stronger testimony of the family and its importance in each person's eternal purpose and progression. I love family. I had the chance to practice my motherly skills while I was at home. I was able to grow closer to my Grandma Jensen and learn compassion and patience. It was a good year for family.
Goals: Continue to prepare to have my own family. Keep practicing relationship skills - forgiveness, listening, compassion. I want to be someone who is available for my family - keep practicing those time-management skills. All of the previous goals contribute to this goal, I am realizing. As I improve spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and work on my talents I will be a better mother, daughter, sister, and spouse. Hooray!