Truth, sista. I am so on board with this.
'Scuse me - I've got to go work on the advertising for MY yard sale.
*
Showing posts with label resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resolutions. Show all posts
April 12, 2011
February 22, 2011
Resolution Reborn
It's been seven full days with no chocolate (and a severely reduced other-sugar intake) and no one has died.
At least, not because of me.
At least, not because of me.
January 29, 2010
But I Said: No, No, No....
I am addicted to:
- chocolate (duh)
- ice cream (double duh)
- "cotton candy" reading material
- reading in general
- Facebook
- Facebook stalking (specific target only)
- not sleeping
- sleeping
- computer time
- procrastination (see above)
- Theater
- making lists
Is it an intervention if you call it on yourself?
Rehab will consist of:
- cutting out chocolate, sugar, and ice cream; bribery by way of counter-intuitive reward of Nielsen's Frozen Custard at long intervals for good behavior.
- a year of reading only non-fiction (with some grayish areas, rules to be expounded) starting Feb. 1 (I gave myself a month of "transition" time)
- cutting down Internet time; taking Facebook breaks, just to make sure I can; allowing NO computer access in the mornings before work
- re-instituting the checkbox scheduling list
- making smaller, more manageable lists
- signing up for at least one half-marathon and PAYING for it, to create imperative to get in shape and stop wasting time
- always, always, always read the instructions/guidelines/attachments FIRST and THOROUGHLY
- go to grad school and learn how to focus the theater yen, instead of scattershotting and trying to do everything
- drink more water
- get more sleep
Any other suggestions and possible motivations would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I suppose the proper term would be "scattershooting", but I tried them both and liked "scattershotting" better. I do like verbing words occasionally.
June 28, 2009
Sunday Snippet
It was a good day - I felt like I got something important out of all three meetings, and the things I got were all tied together. I appreciate the reinforcement, what with being a *little* hard-headed, and all.
The Sunday School lesson focused on the importance of learning -
And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
…And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-80, 118
Look at that list! There is so much to study and learn, and no way we could ever get to it all... we really don't have time to waste when it comes to the things we "study". As discussed in our class, in the end it's not really about WHAT we study, as it is about "learning how to learn". Learning to learn and making a habit of learning from the best books does not seem to include space for procrastination and filling our heads with mental cotton candy.
I was having a related conversation with my neice this evening (well, "conversation" might be a bit strong, as it was more of me on a soapbox with her staring, wide-eyed) - we were discussing books, and looking over the ones she might take with her this week to EFY. She had a pile of very old, very harmless historical romantic fiction novels - in fact, I remember reading those very books when I was her age. I remembered, too, that my mother had once warned me against reading romance novels - and that over the following years, I ignored her advice. Now, every few months I make another resolution to stop reading them. Talk about your mental cotton candy - they are in no way productive, or inspiring, or "of good report"... they just sit and rot your brain with fantasy and escapism. I was reminded rather forcefully in church today that I simply don't have time for that kind of thing - I should/could be learning Spanish, figuring out how science and religion mesh, studying for grad school, reading biographies of important people, working on family history, discovering the different ways in which the written word can be truly beautiful... etc... (all of which is covered in books currently living, unopened, on my bookshelves.)
Along with my newest resolution to give up sugar (starting tomorrow - I had to have one final milkshake tonight) I will also be giving up (PERMANENTLY) romance novels. I don't need any of that in my body or brain, and there are plenty of other things on which I can and will be spending my time.
***In the interest of full disclosure, however, I will admit that I just started re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and that books Six and Seven are also on my current list, to be finished before the next movie comes out in two weeks. (Look for the review!)***
The Sunday School lesson focused on the importance of learning -
And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
…And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-80, 118
Look at that list! There is so much to study and learn, and no way we could ever get to it all... we really don't have time to waste when it comes to the things we "study". As discussed in our class, in the end it's not really about WHAT we study, as it is about "learning how to learn". Learning to learn and making a habit of learning from the best books does not seem to include space for procrastination and filling our heads with mental cotton candy.
I was having a related conversation with my neice this evening (well, "conversation" might be a bit strong, as it was more of me on a soapbox with her staring, wide-eyed) - we were discussing books, and looking over the ones she might take with her this week to EFY. She had a pile of very old, very harmless historical romantic fiction novels - in fact, I remember reading those very books when I was her age. I remembered, too, that my mother had once warned me against reading romance novels - and that over the following years, I ignored her advice. Now, every few months I make another resolution to stop reading them. Talk about your mental cotton candy - they are in no way productive, or inspiring, or "of good report"... they just sit and rot your brain with fantasy and escapism. I was reminded rather forcefully in church today that I simply don't have time for that kind of thing - I should/could be learning Spanish, figuring out how science and religion mesh, studying for grad school, reading biographies of important people, working on family history, discovering the different ways in which the written word can be truly beautiful... etc... (all of which is covered in books currently living, unopened, on my bookshelves.)
Along with my newest resolution to give up sugar (starting tomorrow - I had to have one final milkshake tonight) I will also be giving up (PERMANENTLY) romance novels. I don't need any of that in my body or brain, and there are plenty of other things on which I can and will be spending my time.
***In the interest of full disclosure, however, I will admit that I just started re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and that books Six and Seven are also on my current list, to be finished before the next movie comes out in two weeks. (Look for the review!)***
April 05, 2009
Blogging General Conference - Part 4
In which we shall see: Good stuff.
* * * * *
Today's session started with a bang - Elder Uchtdorf started things off with a powerful plea for us to take action; a reminder that this church and our testimonies are not "spectator sports". (He looks a little more natural today - somebody must have talked to his makeup person!) A little later the message was given that it's time for all of us to "get on with our lives"... It's like they knew I'd be listening today and wrote the messages just for me! Elder Holland (one of my favorite speakers ever since I had the opportunity to see him literally pound the pulpit during an address at the MTC) gave a deeply moving message about the Savior, His Atonement, and the necessity that we never betray or abandon Him as He was betrayed and abandoned - and to remember that He and Heavenly Father will never betray or abandon us.
A couple of little kids running around this session - might be disctracting, but they're so stinkin' cute it doesn't really matter. The adults are a little chattier - we've all got computers or other projects though, so it never gets really noisy. All about multi-tasking, my family.
I'm still full from last night's dinner - I even broke out the dessert I didn't eat then to nosh on for breakfast, and only made it halfway through.
I'll be waiting for this Conference to come out on DVD - I have every intention of watching and re-watching these sessions to remind me of the things I need to be doing, and to help me stick to my resolutions. (Kathy, this has been a very interesting Conference for me - it's been very very good in regards to that one thing. The big one.)
One more session to go - in the meantime, we'll eat; I'll get my taxes done (Dad's OK with doing it on Sunday since he doesn't intend to charge me); I'll make cookies (the Careers class has been great, again); I'll work on lesson plans; and I'll finish up the photo CD for Rules of Comedy. Oh, and I'll go for a walk. For at least a little while, there's sunshine today. Appropriate.
* * * * *
Today's session started with a bang - Elder Uchtdorf started things off with a powerful plea for us to take action; a reminder that this church and our testimonies are not "spectator sports". (He looks a little more natural today - somebody must have talked to his makeup person!) A little later the message was given that it's time for all of us to "get on with our lives"... It's like they knew I'd be listening today and wrote the messages just for me! Elder Holland (one of my favorite speakers ever since I had the opportunity to see him literally pound the pulpit during an address at the MTC) gave a deeply moving message about the Savior, His Atonement, and the necessity that we never betray or abandon Him as He was betrayed and abandoned - and to remember that He and Heavenly Father will never betray or abandon us.
A couple of little kids running around this session - might be disctracting, but they're so stinkin' cute it doesn't really matter. The adults are a little chattier - we've all got computers or other projects though, so it never gets really noisy. All about multi-tasking, my family.
I'm still full from last night's dinner - I even broke out the dessert I didn't eat then to nosh on for breakfast, and only made it halfway through.
I'll be waiting for this Conference to come out on DVD - I have every intention of watching and re-watching these sessions to remind me of the things I need to be doing, and to help me stick to my resolutions. (Kathy, this has been a very interesting Conference for me - it's been very very good in regards to that one thing. The big one.)
One more session to go - in the meantime, we'll eat; I'll get my taxes done (Dad's OK with doing it on Sunday since he doesn't intend to charge me); I'll make cookies (the Careers class has been great, again); I'll work on lesson plans; and I'll finish up the photo CD for Rules of Comedy. Oh, and I'll go for a walk. For at least a little while, there's sunshine today. Appropriate.
October 11, 2008
Day11 - To Sum Up
My impressions of yesterday:
*huff* *gasp* *oooooh* *la!* *yummmm* *brrrr* *wheeee!* *yummm, again* *hee* *OW*
To illustrate:
(I accidentally deleted a couple of pictures of the Alpine Slide I'd wanted to use here. Bleh.)
Timpanoogos = tough hike up, great cavern tour, extremely cute Ranger guide, fine hike down, cold, great views.
Blue Plate Diner (Sugarhouse) = sketchy exterior, OK interior, FANTASTIC food.
Alpine Slide = cold cold cold cold cold, homemade winter hats!, speed, screaming, fun, COLD.
Grub Steak = terrific salad bar, nice atmosphere, excellent Mud Pie, Bread Pudding w/Rum Sauce that can knock you flat (whatta kick ina teeth!).
Hanging with friends = funny stories, LoveSac, no new pictures of Tara and/or Greg (sad), good times.
* * * * *
Resolved: If I ever write an autobiography, it will be titled, "It Goes Without Saying."
*huff* *gasp* *oooooh* *la!* *yummmm* *brrrr* *wheeee!* *yummm, again* *hee* *OW*
To illustrate:
(I accidentally deleted a couple of pictures of the Alpine Slide I'd wanted to use here. Bleh.)
Timpanoogos = tough hike up, great cavern tour, extremely cute Ranger guide, fine hike down, cold, great views.
Blue Plate Diner (Sugarhouse) = sketchy exterior, OK interior, FANTASTIC food.
Alpine Slide = cold cold cold cold cold, homemade winter hats!, speed, screaming, fun, COLD.
Grub Steak = terrific salad bar, nice atmosphere, excellent Mud Pie, Bread Pudding w/Rum Sauce that can knock you flat (whatta kick ina teeth!).
Hanging with friends = funny stories, LoveSac, no new pictures of Tara and/or Greg (sad), good times.
* * * * *
Resolved: If I ever write an autobiography, it will be titled, "It Goes Without Saying."
February 26, 2008
Shock Therapy
In which we shall see: New Year's resolutions, Chinese New Year's resolutions, mental and physical health resolutions, career resolutions, and flying lessons
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You know how sometimes you're thinking about all kinds of different things, like brightly-colored balls rolling around in your head, and then they suddenly snap together under one common theme (or in this case, the right blog title)? Here they are...
Last year I made all kinds of fabulous New Year's Resolutions, which, if followed, would have resulted in a completely unrecognizable ME. None of the resolutions were accomplished, and very few of them stuck around more than a few weeks (I think the last had its death-throes around May.) This year, I was much more realistic, opting for simplicity and general positivity. These, on the whole, died even faster than last year.
(Though I am happy to report that I HAVE in fact flossed my teeth every day this year so far. It's well on it's way to becoming habit!)
Then, just a few weeks ago, I was struck with the realization that if anything was going to change, it had better start changing NOW (they weren't kidding when they said the metabolism would shift drastically at 34, and I think my backside gave up the fight as soon as I blew out the candles). I found that I was getting way too wrapped up in "romantic comedies" (kissing scenes in particular - no analyzing, please), to the point that my actual work was suffering, and I started formulating a plan. I watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" late Saturday night and cleared out my DVD shelf the following morning, packing all "romantic" movies in a box to store away for a month. (Plus side: I have more cool action movies, sci-fi, and drama flicks than I thought! And I can read all the titles now!) This is an experiment to see if I can focus more and procrastinate less without all that mental cotton candy sitting around - and hopefully, get away from the media perception of the perfect, "fairy-tale" romance. Hogwash, and all that...
That same day I got a text message from my youngest brother - 21, and home from his mission since June. He asked if I was coming to dinner with the family, and that I should "really consider" (dang, there are a lot of quotation marks in this post) attending. Naturally, my ears perked up and I started sniffing the air suspiciously... a quick check of his Facebook page (hey, we're friends) showed that he had "finally found a girl who understood him." I was deeply surprised at how emotional I got to think that my youngest brother - and honestly, more to the point, last single sibling - might be engaged. Now, it isn't like this was a new idea - not long after he got home I suggested that with my track record he was LIKELY to get married before I did! I'm the second of six children, and the other four are all married with kids of their own, so it's not like I'm not used to the concept. So there I was, surprised, crying, AND trying to put on makeup. (Tip: NOT a good idea to try to use a tissue and a mascara wand at the same time!) Anyway, when I finally pulled myself together I came to the conclusion that since it was looking less and less likely I'd be married anytime soon, and more and more likely that the other five siblings would, it was up to me to become famous instead. It's amazing how steadying that thought was!
Along with that thought came the conviction that it really IS time to change. So I boxed up the movies, made sure all the ice cream is gone, and started planning my application for a new job. I went to the gym last night (even with a headache - after a day of no chocolate AT ALL) and even when I couldn't get into the spin class I stayed and ran on the treadmill for nearly an hour. This morning I got up and went back to the gym, and I'm in Day Two of no chocolate (and almost no sugar). I got out this afternoon for a quick walk, and coming back I realized that with a little luck this "shock therapy" of exercise and better food, plus more sleep and less TV/movies might be just the thing to jolt my system and help me sustain some real life changes (and get me back into half my wardrobe).
The plan for fame is slowly coming around - I see now that I really want to DO something, to contribute and educate and affect other things. My strongest area right now seems to be theatre, so it's time for a re-commitment to becoming a dramaturg, and finding the way to do it. (For all that I get distracted remarkably easily, this is one idea that has stuck for quite a while. Must be something to it.) So I have this blog to work on writing and formulating skills, exercise and diet for physical help (I'm trying for a workout every day this week, just to see if it makes a difference - since I still HATE exercising! Gotta find a dance class or something!) and cutting out movies and fluffy books to work on my focus and follow-through. After that, the job and future classes are on the board... stay tuned for updates! (Also, I've got a blind date this Saturday - and if that's not motivating, NOTHING is.)
I'm (not) "gonna live forever", but I might just "learn how to fly..." Heck, why not?
(Oh, and my little brother isn't currently engaged; he actually got a new truck and wanted to show it off. Of course, he left the house to go visit the girl he's been dating for the past three weeks - a record - before I could see it and has since asked all of us - his siblings - to introduce ourselves to the young lady via email... Fame it is! And I gave up being a bridesmaid a loooong time ago!)
Watch out for falling turtles,
Cyd
Meaningful phone conversations I've had today: 0
Days I've gone without chocolate: 1.5
Days I've worked out this week: 2
Plays my schedule says I'll be seeing in the next two weeks: 4
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You know how sometimes you're thinking about all kinds of different things, like brightly-colored balls rolling around in your head, and then they suddenly snap together under one common theme (or in this case, the right blog title)? Here they are...
Last year I made all kinds of fabulous New Year's Resolutions, which, if followed, would have resulted in a completely unrecognizable ME. None of the resolutions were accomplished, and very few of them stuck around more than a few weeks (I think the last had its death-throes around May.) This year, I was much more realistic, opting for simplicity and general positivity. These, on the whole, died even faster than last year.
(Though I am happy to report that I HAVE in fact flossed my teeth every day this year so far. It's well on it's way to becoming habit!)
Then, just a few weeks ago, I was struck with the realization that if anything was going to change, it had better start changing NOW (they weren't kidding when they said the metabolism would shift drastically at 34, and I think my backside gave up the fight as soon as I blew out the candles). I found that I was getting way too wrapped up in "romantic comedies" (kissing scenes in particular - no analyzing, please), to the point that my actual work was suffering, and I started formulating a plan. I watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" late Saturday night and cleared out my DVD shelf the following morning, packing all "romantic" movies in a box to store away for a month. (Plus side: I have more cool action movies, sci-fi, and drama flicks than I thought! And I can read all the titles now!) This is an experiment to see if I can focus more and procrastinate less without all that mental cotton candy sitting around - and hopefully, get away from the media perception of the perfect, "fairy-tale" romance. Hogwash, and all that...
That same day I got a text message from my youngest brother - 21, and home from his mission since June. He asked if I was coming to dinner with the family, and that I should "really consider" (dang, there are a lot of quotation marks in this post) attending. Naturally, my ears perked up and I started sniffing the air suspiciously... a quick check of his Facebook page (hey, we're friends) showed that he had "finally found a girl who understood him." I was deeply surprised at how emotional I got to think that my youngest brother - and honestly, more to the point, last single sibling - might be engaged. Now, it isn't like this was a new idea - not long after he got home I suggested that with my track record he was LIKELY to get married before I did! I'm the second of six children, and the other four are all married with kids of their own, so it's not like I'm not used to the concept. So there I was, surprised, crying, AND trying to put on makeup. (Tip: NOT a good idea to try to use a tissue and a mascara wand at the same time!) Anyway, when I finally pulled myself together I came to the conclusion that since it was looking less and less likely I'd be married anytime soon, and more and more likely that the other five siblings would, it was up to me to become famous instead. It's amazing how steadying that thought was!
Along with that thought came the conviction that it really IS time to change. So I boxed up the movies, made sure all the ice cream is gone, and started planning my application for a new job. I went to the gym last night (even with a headache - after a day of no chocolate AT ALL) and even when I couldn't get into the spin class I stayed and ran on the treadmill for nearly an hour. This morning I got up and went back to the gym, and I'm in Day Two of no chocolate (and almost no sugar). I got out this afternoon for a quick walk, and coming back I realized that with a little luck this "shock therapy" of exercise and better food, plus more sleep and less TV/movies might be just the thing to jolt my system and help me sustain some real life changes (and get me back into half my wardrobe).
The plan for fame is slowly coming around - I see now that I really want to DO something, to contribute and educate and affect other things. My strongest area right now seems to be theatre, so it's time for a re-commitment to becoming a dramaturg, and finding the way to do it. (For all that I get distracted remarkably easily, this is one idea that has stuck for quite a while. Must be something to it.) So I have this blog to work on writing and formulating skills, exercise and diet for physical help (I'm trying for a workout every day this week, just to see if it makes a difference - since I still HATE exercising! Gotta find a dance class or something!) and cutting out movies and fluffy books to work on my focus and follow-through. After that, the job and future classes are on the board... stay tuned for updates! (Also, I've got a blind date this Saturday - and if that's not motivating, NOTHING is.)
I'm (not) "gonna live forever", but I might just "learn how to fly..." Heck, why not?
(Oh, and my little brother isn't currently engaged; he actually got a new truck and wanted to show it off. Of course, he left the house to go visit the girl he's been dating for the past three weeks - a record - before I could see it and has since asked all of us - his siblings - to introduce ourselves to the young lady via email... Fame it is! And I gave up being a bridesmaid a loooong time ago!)
Watch out for falling turtles,
Cyd
Meaningful phone conversations I've had today: 0
Days I've gone without chocolate: 1.5
Days I've worked out this week: 2
Plays my schedule says I'll be seeing in the next two weeks: 4
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