Being resolute, means being reasonable

My first resolution for 2007, is to be reasonable with my resolutions. No lofty goals, no pipe dreams, just down to earth honest expectations of myself, that can result in real change for the better.

My first goal this year is to improve my overall health, physical and mental. As with all reasonable expectations, this one comes with a plan of action that I can actually follow.
1) To continue to improve my mental health, I will take my medication, see my doctor and counselor reguarly, and follow their orders. I will take stock of my emotions reguarly. I will be realistic about my strengths and limitations, and ask for help when I need it. I will not isolate myself from others. That last one will be the hardest.
2) To improve my physical health, I am going to put myself on a schedual, for eating, sleeping, working, excercising, and relaxing, and stick to it. I will understand that snacking is inevitable, because I use food to handle stress, BUT I will make an effort to provide myself to sensible snacking choices, such as fruit and raw veggies, rather then salty treats and sweets, and I will remember to stop and ask myself WHY I feel like eating. I will excercise by walking every single day. I understand that some days these walks will be shorter than on others, but I will not let a day go by where I don't take the time out to excercise. I'm not going to set a weight loss goal of any kind, because loosing weight will be secondary to my primary goal is being healthier, with better energy and stable moods. With Moxie as my walking partner I can't fail. :)

Then I have several more resolutions that are less concrete. Things like making the most of every moment, smiling more, laughing, enjoying myself, dancing, celebrating. I also resolve not to take anyone in my life for granted, to appreciate my loved ones, and make sure they know that I love them. I resolve to be a better friend, daughter and sister.

I have some professional goals. I resolve to be the best teacher I can be. I want to bring the most relevent, interesting material into the classroom. I want my students to LOVE learning. I want to promote the school, bring in more students, and have three full-time PAID staff on board by the end of the year. I also want to be more involved with in the community, take a more active role in Future Without Poverty projects and by God, LEARN SPANISH for once and for all.

Finally, I want to take this year to seriously examine the possibility of beginning a family. I want to ask myself all those deep searching questions, find out the answers, look at the mechanics of brining up a child, get my life into order, and my health into order, so that my child has the best possible start in life. I want to look into international adoptions, or the possible of having a child myself. By this time next year, I want to be ready to start my family. (P.S. having a man in my life is completely optional, I'm not going to spend my life waiting for a man.)

Well, I think that about covers it.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2007 brings new beginnings, and joyous occassions to you all.