Honesty...

Honesty is one of the best characteristics a person can have. I appreciate honesty and truth and the older I get the more I treasure them both. One of my favorite things about kids, especially the age I teach, is they are honest. You usually do not have to wonder what they are thinking. One thing I learned at an early age, simply by observing the trouble others would get into, is if I tell the truth, I only have to remember one story. And that's the true story. I do no have to keep track of who I told what to or the details I decided to add to embellish the story. I value the fact that when a friend, or anyone for that fact, asks for advice or my opinion, I tell exactly how I feel. I share what my heart and head feel and think. Honesty in friendships and relationships is expected. It's something that if one lacks, they will not be around for long in my life. It goes back to the golden rule. I expect honesty from others, therefore, I am truthful and honest to others. Respect honesty, live and honest life....because, "Honesty is the best gift you can give."

Let Go of the Idea...

"Let Go of the Idea that Gentle, Relaxed People Can't Be Superachievers." I had an instant connection with these words when I first read them in the book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. First, please understand that I do not think this about others. I feel like if I calm down, I will not stay motivated. I feel like if I relax, I will lose my edge. These things are not true and I was able to realize that and reflect after I read this quote. When I am stressed or have too much on my to do list, I rush. I let my anxiety get the best of me and this is when I make mistakes, whether it be on paper, in an email or verbally. I have been focusing on slowing down and calming down. I have made less errors by doing this. I am speaking about in my relationships and in my career. Something so small caught my eye and I am so glad it did because it fits perfectly in my life.

My Goals for 2012

Each year I create a new goal list. The past few years I have accomplished many things from my list, but there are always goals that really aren't meant to accomplish in a year or that are simply ongoing. This continues to be true with my list this year as well. To recap, in 2011, I can proudly say, many of my goals we met:  I finally completed my MSE, I have remembered to slow down and enjoy planning our wedding, I love 42 pounds and we purchased a home. There were a few huge accomplishments in my life that I was not planning on encountering that took place as well. My mom moved home. I am very happy she is home, however, her relocating brought many barred emotions to surface. I will reflect on that at a later posting. I also really focused on having more of an open mind with my dad and Candy and our relationship has improved greatly.
This brings me to my 2012 Goal List in no particular order:

1. Have a little less control and a little more trust in my family and friends. I have really seen that I need to let go more and trust. This has really been highlighted in planning for our wedding. I have friends and family that will start planning something, like our shower and I can't just let them do it. I want to be in control and be the leader. I do not do it on purpose, but I have been called out and I will work on this.
2. Focus on my classroom and teaching position that I have now. I need to allow myself to enjoy what I have worked so hard for. It's too early to make a decision about the next step. It is ok to not have the answers now and continue figuring out what will be the next best step for me. I do not have to commit to a path quite yet.
3. "Let go of the idea that gentle, relaxed people can't be superachievers." -Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (book that I am reading. I will be blogging later about this asa well). I have calmed down a lot in the past dew years. However, I know I can still be a pretty intense person. I want to control this more. Being intense is part of me and my identity. I do not want to take that away, but learn to control it more.
4. Ignore my negative thoughts. The past few months I have really focused on this. I have developed a strategy to get the negative thoughts out of my mind and its working! I want to continue to make myself more aware of my negative thoughts so I can do away with those thoughts that are nothing but destructive.
5. Become faster and stronger. This has always been a passion of mine that I have not fully recognized or taken action on. I am signed up for a Relay Marathon April 15. I will be running 7 miles. Which, is a very scary and intimidating goal for myself. But, I started training at the beginning of the month and will do it. I know I will be slow and I accept that. But, when I run shorted distances, I go for speed. If you're laughing now, I understand. Speed and Danielle do not go together! But, they will one day! I want to be strong. I want to know that if I am ever in a situation that I need to defend myself, I have a fighting chance. In return, I want to lose these last 13 lbs, darnit!
6. Keep creating little things that matter in the big picture in my relationship with Mike. Together, Mike and I have seen 7 failed marriages in our households. This can make or break us. We have chosen to recognize it and use it to help make our relationship stronger. Some of the things we do are corny, but they make us stronger. We have been doing monthly secret dates for the past few years. Since we moved in, we have been slacking due to our schedules and doing them every other month. We need to get back on track!  But, what we do is each month we plan a date for the other person. We keep the details a secret. We have taken each other to concerts, shows, parks, lunches, dinners and as simple as pizza and a movie in. One other thing we started doing is every Sunday night we tell each other one thing that we are proud of one another for the week. This has been impactful for the both of us. It reminds us that we believe in one another and are proud of one another.
7. To not just be comfortable, but confident in my own skin. I am getting closer, but I am not there yet. I accept I will never be a size 2. I am okay with that. I want to be a healthy size for me. I want people to see from looking at me that I am a healthy and fit adult. I want to motivate people to make changes for the health.

I am keeping it to 7 this year. They are 7 meaty goals that will be hung on the fridge. Please feel free to check in on my goals. This is why I share them, so you can help hold me accountable for them. I want to know what your goals are. I want to help you in your journey in 2012. Email them or send me a facebook message. And if you have never created goals like this, do it! I put them on my fridge so people see them. Do not keep them a secret, by doing that you are asking for failure. What it comes down to is there are days you cannot do it alone. Those days will beat you alone, but they will not beat you and your support system. Think about it....