Happy (belated) New Year!

How many of you make New Year resolutions?

Go ahead, raise your hand, you know you do!

I love the promise of a fresh start. The holidays snuck up on me and the SigO this year. Christmas Eve found us cuddling and napping. New Year's Eve we almost succumbed to the same indulgence, but opted to ring in 2016 with a comedy double feature. 

We watched "Daddy's Home" and "Sisters" - both were funny! Of course part of my giggles may have been due to the flight of whiskey tasting we had before the movies at a local restaurant...full disclosure and all that jazz...

I had been thinking about a recent post where my normally cheerful self came across a bit cranky and blue...I didn't like the feeling. Truth is, even with all the fabulous changes in the past year, life can still be stressful! (Who knew?) I may not be able to control every aspect, but I wanted to start the year off spreading happiness and hope. So I've spent some time this month reflecting on what positive goals I want to set for myself in the coming year....

Resolutions are sometimes like bubbles...beautiful but fleeting!

Goal One: Follow my passions!

• Yoga - live my practice...daily.
• Music - find a guitar teacher (Any suggestions for wonderful, patient, affordable, and fun teachers in Huntington Beach/Newport Beach area?)
• Art - my sketchbook has been woefully neglected and I miss my doodling time
• Other enjoyable passions: vegan cooking, singing, etc...

Goal Two: Connect with Friends

I've moved a lot over the past 20 years - FIVE times across country, and multiple times on each coast. My friends have become my family, but so often the days pass without contact with anyone other than work buddies and my SigO... (Love you babe but since we live together it would be hard to not have contact!)

Suddenly I realize that weeks, months, and (horribly enough) even years have flown by without me having a true conversation with YOU (insert your name here) - a person that I care about. So if you and I haven't talked for a while, don't be surprised if I reach out to you this year! 

Goal Three: Embrace my Community 

It's been a while since I found a place where I felt that I "fit". Perhaps it's because so many people in SoCal are from somewhere else, perhaps it's because the sun shines almost daily, perhaps it's because I really want to be here....no matter what the reason, I want to immerse myself into this vibrant, welcoming community, So I'm currently investigating volunteer opportunities, cultural events, and clubs/activities so I can fully embrace the SoCal life! Expect to hear more about this goal as the year progresses...

Goal Four: Cultivate Health and Well-being

We remember to buy groceries because otherwise we wouldn't eat. We wash our clothes so we have stuff to wear. We do our taxes, pay our bills, change the oil in our car, all the "necessary" errands of life. But when do we stop to really cultivate our true selves, to make sure we are nourished with truly healthy delicious foods, with beautiful sounds, with time to enjoy fresh air and sunshine, to stop and experience true moments of gratitude and peace in our day? This year I intend to do more than go to my yearly physical. I plan to leave work on time to be able to participate in the activities and experiences which bring health and well-being (physical, mental, and spiritual) to my world.

January Recap

Since technically the year is already well under way, I felt it was important to own up how I was doing with my goals so far.

Goal One is off to a good start. Once I'm done writing tonight, my mat is waiting for me for a brief yet mindful practice. I've been cooking more, and loving it! Still working on finding a guitar teacher, but I'm not worried as I want to not become overwhelmed by too many activities at once.

​Goal Two is a bit slow...I've started making more of an effort to call friends - even if it means simply leaving a message to let them know I'm thinking of them. For local friends, I'm working on saying "yes" more to events, and being fully present when spending time with them. 

Goal Three is in action! I'm currently completing a literacy program with one of the local libraries so I can become a literacy tutor! Hooray! I've also found a ton of wonderful local activities through Twitter and Instagram, leading to fun in the sun!

Goal Four takes effort. I'm conscientiously striving to leave work on time as the things that are "urgent" often really aren't. (Have you ever noticed how many times you drop everything to finish a task at work, only to discover that the item was not truly as important as you had been led to believe?) I've also been doing more reading on being vegan, and cooking more than I ever have in my life! To cultivate my spiritual side, I've found some wonderful books by yogis I admire who have generously shared their practice using the written word, and some Instagram feeds which also embrace the idea of spreading joy, peace and love.

So how are you doing on your resolutions? Feel free to share; I'm always listening...with smiles,....

Sometimes the universe sends you a subtle love message...pass it on!