A strange thing happened last year. I really started believing in the power of writing goals or desires of the heart down. I have been doing it for years, so obviously I believed that there was merit in doing it. Last year, I unexpectedly became a huge fan.
In the months following my divorce, I wrote a list of goals or desires that I wanted to happen in five years. The list included 2 things that I didn't really know how to work on, so I didn't do anything about them. To be blunt, I hoped I could get the loans on my townhouse and vehicle in my name only (not with my ex). I was working part-time and was making the payments all by myself often without child support, but I was sure I couldn't qualify for the loan by myself. After writing it down, I went about life and didn't think about it again.
Last December, the transmission on my car went out. I had just paid it off, but the title was in both of our names. I pouted a few days, but then went to Car Max and got a cheaper used car, which I did qualify for ALL BY MYSELF. I still didn't think about my goal until a month later, when I got a call from my mortgage company. They told me that the government has a program to help people refinance. I told them that I had gotten divorced and wasn't making very much money. I didn't know if I could qualify. They told me that I should try, so I went for it. A few months later, the townhouse was only in my name. I did nothing to seek those things out, but within 5 years they came to pass. Coincidence? Maybe...but I believe writing them sparked it all.
Now it is 2015, and I definitely want to document my resolutions.
1. juice
I am going to juice more often (3 to 5 times a week). Maybe even do a 3 day juice fast every month or two. I love juicing, but I have gotten out of the habit. Every time I need a little motivation, I am going to watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead - 1 or 2 (http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/). Love those documentaries!
2. de-clutter my house
For my entire life, I have never lived the the same house for long. I have always moved with-in a year or two. I have never had to spring clean or purge the junk that tends to accumulate. My de-cluttering was basically about throwing stuff out that isn't worth moving. I have now lived in this house for 3 1/2 years. It completely surprises me that we could have so much extra stuff when I am very thrifty. My goal is to figure out how to de-clutter when the goal isn't moving.
3. pay off credit cards
Now that I am working full-time and life has started getting financially easier, I plan to reduce my debts and save more. That is pretty straight forward.
4. lift others
I can't even count how many people have gone out of their way to help me through these last few years. I am often shocked and humbled by their generosity and kindness. I want to do help others the way they've helped me. I started donating blood on a regular basis. It happened because I felt like I didn't have anything to give, but I am healthy and realized that is one thing I could do. I want to keep looking for ways to spread kindness.
5. teach essential oil classes
I have learned so much and there are quite a few people calling me and approaching me to ask questions. People are really starting to take an interest in essential oils. Our blog, Essential Health Solutions, is blowing up. In a little over 2 months, it has had over 2,000 hits and it is picking up more readers all the time. I see more and more people turning to essential oils. My local grocery store has more than doubled their shelf space for essential oils and those brands aren't even safe to take internally or use topically. I see more and more people getting excited and wanting to learn more.
I think that is a pretty good list. I would like to think that sharing it makes me more accountable. I have a few other more personal things listed in a notebook. I guess those are more dreams/wishes. For some reason, I feel like sharing those kinds of things that I have less control over will jinx them like a birthday wish.
Cheers to you all! Happy New Year and may life take you where you need and want to go!