I get so excited about New Year's Resolutions. I know, I'm crazy... I blame it on Mama and being the granddaughter of Morgan Walker. I've been making lists since I can remember. Looking at some of the books I had when I was little, I think I was making some sort of lists before I learned to write. Last year I didn't do much in the way of goals or resolutions. That is one of the small favors I allow myself when I'm pregnant. It is kind of a struggle, but every time I even think of setting my sights on something I want to change in my life, I have a little internal argument with myself that goes something like this...
"Self, getting at of bed in the morning when you know you'll be throwing up several times during the day is hard enough. DON'T PUSH IT!"
It works, for the most part. As a result, I didn't accomplish much last year... that is, if you don't count creating and growing a little human. It was one of the first years that I can remember not reading the Book of Mormon all the way through at least once. So I've been giving my goals a lot of thought the past couple of days.
One of the goals I was considering was being more deliberate. I read in a magazine (so it must be true) that if you concentrate on small things during the day (swallowing as you take a drink of water, the motions required to wash your hands) it makes it easier to meditate. I have trouble meditating when I don't spend a lot of time running, so this struck me. As I was thinking about this today, while making cornbread, I was being very deliberate while measuring the baking powder and then... while deeply engrossed, I poured the measuring spoon into the sugar bowl instead of the bowl I was using to mix the cornbread. This might be more work than I anticipated.
But I still think it is a worthy goal. I mean, dropping the car seat on my foot, slamming my finger in Tyler's car door... I could go on and on, but these things were completely avoidable. But as I thought of that, it made me consider that I usually make my goals very attainable. I mean, they are things I have to stretch a little for, but not much. When I make a goal, I am absolutely sure I can accomplish it. Not because I am superhuman, but because, like with the rest of my life, I am very conservative.
So I decided to go for it. This year I am making a goal that I have no idea how to achieve, but I really want it. I'm going to learn how to swim.
Yes- I know how to swim, conceptually at least. I learned when I was about 12 and never got very good at it. My neighbor suggested that I go to the gym and just swim and somebody watching me would offer to help. Can you imagine? That is exactly what I am afraid of. Myself floundering around like a beached whale and people looking at each other, embarrassed, wondering who is going to help this poor soul. Anyway, I've got some others... but compared to that one, the rest are a piece of cake. =)
6 comments:
i think that's a great goal. oh how i wish fitness were a part of my life. any tips on how to make that happen? i'm hopelessly lazy.
I don't think it is lazy... it just has to be a matter of habit. I didn't exercise for 3 years after I had Emmaline. I couldn't find the time or energy. I made a decision I was going to exercise 15 minutes every day (except Sunday) no matter what. I didn't let myself off the hook if I didn't wake up early enough or if I didn't do it while the kids were napping. I HAD to do it, even if it was 11p.m. I took a lot of night runs that year =) Now, if I know it's a day I can't get to the gym or it's too cold to run, I jump rope while I cook dinner. I have always loved to jump rope- my kids think it is hilarious and try it too- just do something simple that doesn't take much time and make it a habit. If I was naturally skinny, I probably wouldn't be very driven. One lucky thing about being genetically "hippy", I guess =)
So that's where I get my love of list making from? Didn't realize it was genetic.
You MUST learn to swim. You will have so much more fun when you are a strong swimmer. I am always so grateful now that my parents made me do swim team. Our family rule is swim lessons or swim team every summer until you're 12. Will is already into his first year of swim lessons. We are swimming freaks!!!
But don't just ask for advice from random people. There are plenty of classes for adult swimmers. Definitely check it out at your gym and join a class. Lots of adults don't know how or aren't good swimmers. You aren't the only one.
I was going to comment yesterday about making list. When I saw Trica's comment I said to myself "Wow it must be genetics. I thought it was because I have severe ADD. Gee I wonder what this ^ key is? Why is the sky so blue today?...."
Matt Hall
Charlotte has anyone ever called you, hilarious? Every time I read one of your blogs I just bust out laughing, LaVar does the same thing. You are an actual comedian. I am surprised because that is not at all how I think of you. Type A personality, maybe, conservative, yes, accomplished, of course, but funny would not be my first choice of a descriptive word for you.... huh, deliberately learned something today. I am still working on the Fly Lady and your other suggestion of being good enough ( not how you said it but the same idea in my mind). Thanks for the joy of laughter even at you expense. Beach whale.... really!
I've been thinking about your goal of being deliberate in all things. It's such a great concept. I swear to you I spend a ridiculous amount of my time rushing through something, only to have to go back and deal with the consequences. You need to be a life coach ( but just mine, because I'm selfish!)
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